If your child is sick, you'll probably think of countless questions to ask your child's doctor. But how many times have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?

If you're like most parents, the answer is probably "very few" or "none." But today's pharmacists are trained to provide valuable information about the prescriptions they fill and to answer questions that affect the young patients they serve. To encourage questions from their customers, many pharmacies provide counseling rooms where pharmacists can talk to patients and families in a private setting.

Why Should I Talk to My Pharmacist?
Pharmacists cannot diagnose medical conditions, but your pharmacist can answer many questions about medicines, recommend nonprescription drugs, and discuss how your child may react to specific medications. And some pharmacists can also provide blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring and offer advice on home monitoring tests.

Most pharmacists who graduated in the 1980s received 5-year bachelor's degrees. Recently, it has become popular for pharmacists to receive a doctor of pharmacy degree. This 6- to 7-year-program requires pharmacists in training to go on hospital rounds with doctors and be there when decisions are made to begin drug use. These skills are particularly useful for pharmacists who operate within hospital settings.

Pharmacists are required to stay up-to-date on the changing world of medicine. Every 2 years, U.S. law requires your pharmacist to complete 30 credits of continuing education classes on drug therapy.