1024 Phila. St., Indiana, PA 7243494200 MonFri: 96; Saturday: 93 Closed Sundays In This Issue: Follow us online: www.gattirx.com We cannot stress medication safety enough, and the following points come from Kyle McCormick, Pharm. D., Patient Care Director (pictured above): Money, Money, Money: Financial Hardship & Taking Medications One of the most common reasons for not taking medication as prescribed is price. Ironically, not taking medications as prescribed could lead you to acquire more costs, such as hospitalizations and time off of work due to sickness. Managing your medication can be difficult and it is always tempting to skip some doses or important appointments. Before you skip any medications or appointments, think about these options: 1. Talk with one of our pharmacists. It is good for us to be aware of your cost concerns, and we may be able to work with your doctor to find an alternative medicine at a lower price. We are able to evaluate all your medications to ensure necessity and discover any medication issues as well. 2. If you are struggling to pay for doctor appointments look for community resources such as rural or community health centers in the area. The Empower 3 Program in Indiana is a lowcost option also. Always request a list of your medications and health conditions before switching doctors or pharmacies. 3. Ask us about our special pricing programs for generic medications that we offer. Many pharmacies like us have programs that will save you money, especially if you buy larger quantities. 4. Ask one of our pharmacists about price matching for prescriptions not billed to insurance. It is always best to fill all your medications at one place, so rather than filling medications at different places, utilizing one pharmacy that's willing to match prices like we do is ideal. 5. Ask your physician or a Gatti pharmacist if any of your medications qualify for patient assistance programs. These programs provide medications to qualified individuals at no cost. 6.Remember, we are health professionals with a broad range of knowledge about disease states and medications. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions you may have! You are encouraged to ask questions about your meds, such as: What condition does this treat? How does this work? What is the active ingredient? How long will it take to work? How will I know if this is working? For overthecounter medications, please speak with a pharmacist to see if what you are taking is even right for your symptoms. It's amazing what you might learn. Never be afraid to speak with your doctor. If you still have pain despite taking your prescription properly, talk to your doctor. You shouldn't need more medications to solve your problem, but your doctor can help in finding a solution. Make sure to inform a Gatti pharmacist about this as well. Please speak with us about all aspects of your meds before leaving the pharmacy. We're always here to help you. Start your year off right with Gatti Pharmacy. Ask questions!