Patient Education Materials from Pharmacists: What to Ask For

Most people think their doctor gives them all the information they need about their meds. But here’s the truth: pharmacists are the real experts on how your pills actually work - and what you need to do to make them safe and effective. You don’t have to wait for them to offer help. You can - and should - ask for specific materials that make your treatment easier to follow.

What Pharmacists Are Required to Tell You (And What They Often Don’t)

By law, pharmacists in 47 U.S. states must give you basic counseling when you pick up a new prescription. That’s thanks to OBRA ’90, a federal rule that started in 1990. But here’s the catch: many pharmacists only say the bare minimum because they’re rushed. The average counseling time in big chain pharmacies is just 1.8 minutes. That’s not enough to explain how to take insulin, what to do if you miss a dose, or why your blood pressure meds shouldn’t be taken with grapefruit.

The real standard - set by the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners in their 2025 update - says pharmacists should make sure you understand, not just hear, the info. That means checking your knowledge, answering your questions, and giving you written or visual tools to take home.

What to Ask For: The 7 Essential Materials

Don’t just take what’s handed to you. Ask for these five things every time you get a new prescription or refill a chronic med:

1. A printed, customized handout - Not the generic one-size-fits-all sheet. Ask for one that includes your name, the exact drug name, dose, and schedule. The Patient Education Reference Center (PERC) offers over 15,000 evidence-based handouts that can be personalized. If your pharmacist says they don’t have them, ask if they can print one from UpToDate or another trusted source.
2. A live demonstration - If you’re using an inhaler, insulin pen, or auto-injector, don’t just watch. Ask the pharmacist to show you how to use it, then let you try it back. Studies show 76% of patients get it right after a hands-on demo - only 41% do after just listening.
3. Written instructions in your language - If English isn’t your first language, say so. PERC offers materials in Spanish for 92% of common medications. Many pharmacies now have access to materials in 18+ languages through UpToDate. You have the right to this.
4. A simplified medication schedule - Ask for a chart that matches your daily routine. “Take one pill at breakfast” doesn’t help if you skip breakfast. A good pharmacist will write out: “Take 10 mg with your 8 a.m. coffee, 5 mg with dinner, skip on weekends.” A 2023 study found 73% of patients stuck to their plan when they got a personalized schedule.
5. Documentation in your record - Ask if your counseling was noted in your pharmacy file. Under ASHP guidelines, this should happen. If you switch pharmacies or see a new doctor, they need to know what you were told. Don’t assume it’s there - ask.

What to Say: The 7 Questions That Make a Difference

You don’t need to be an expert to get good info. Just use these seven questions - they’re backed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists:

• What is this medication for?
• How and when should I take it?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• What side effects should I expect - and which ones mean I should call someone?
• How will I know if it’s working?
• How should I store it? (Some meds need fridge space, others can’t go in the bathroom.)
• Is there anything else I need to know? (This open-ended question catches the stuff they forget to mention - like interactions with supplements, alcohol, or other meds.)

Why This Matters: Real Numbers, Real Results

Medication errors cause about 7,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. And half of people with chronic conditions - like diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma - don’t take their meds as prescribed. That’s not because they’re careless. It’s because they’re confused.

When pharmacists give clear, personalized education:

• Patients are 23% less likely to misuse antibiotics.
• Adherence rates jump by up to 40% for chronic conditions.
• For every $1 spent on pharmacist-led education, the system saves $4.30 in avoided hospital visits.

A patient in Florida told her pharmacist she couldn’t afford her blood pressure pills. He didn’t just nod. He found a generic alternative, printed a coupon, and showed her how to use a pill splitter safely. She stayed on her meds for 18 months - and her blood pressure stabilized.

What’s Missing: The Gaps in Current Practice

Not all pharmacies are equal. Independent pharmacies are more likely to spend time and give quality materials. Chain pharmacies - CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid - often rush. A 2024 Consumer Reports survey found 42% of patients felt rushed, and 68% of those were at chain stores.

Another big gap? Financial help. Only 18% of patients say their pharmacist ever talked about cheaper options - even though 62% need them. Ask: “Is there a lower-cost version?” or “Can you help me find a patient assistance program?”

And here’s something most people don’t know: many pharmacy handouts are written at a 10th-grade reading level. But 80 million U.S. adults read at a 6th-grade level or lower. If the print is too dense, ask for a simpler version. Most pharmacies can switch to a plain-language version.

What’s Changing: The Future of Patient Education

Starting January 2026, Medicare Part D plans will be required to include pharmacist-led medication therapy management as a covered benefit. That means 52 million seniors will get structured education - not just a quick chat.

The FDA is also pushing for simpler Medication Guides. New ones will use 8th-grade language and include QR codes that link to video demos. Some pharmacies are already testing digital handouts you can scan and save on your phone.

But none of this matters unless you ask. Pharmacists can’t read your mind. They won’t know you’re confused unless you say so.

What to Do Next

Next time you pick up a prescription, do this:

1. Wait until the pharmacist is done counting pills - then ask, “Can we go over the instructions?”
2. Use the 7 questions above.
3. Ask for a printed handout and a demo if needed.
4. Confirm they’ll document it in your file.
5. If they say no to anything - ask to speak to the manager.

You’re not being difficult. You’re being smart. Your health depends on you understanding your meds - not just taking them.