HuffPost: Things you didn't know pharmacists could help with
Pharmacists are there for patients to fill prescriptions and answer questions about medications, but they also can help patients in a number of additional ways.
Michael Hegener, PharmD. Photo/University of Cincinnati.
Michael Hegener, PharmD, director of the Wuest Family Pharmacy Practice Skills Center and associate professor of pharmacy in the University of Cincinnati's James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, told HuffPost that beyond discussing possible side effects, pharmacists can help optimize medication schedules and plans for patients.
“[Pharmacists] are aware of the detailed differences among medications and have a working knowledge of disease processes, which enables them to recommend ideal therapies based on patient-specific factors,” he said.
Hegener said that depending on which state you live in, your pharmacist may also be able to dispense certain medications without a doctor's visit.
Pharmacists nationwide can provide naloxone, the lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, without a prescription.
“Currently, every state permits pharmacists to do this via various mechanisms,” Hegener said. “In most, all a patient or caregiver needs to do is ask a pharmacist for it.”
Featured photo at top of exterior of Kowalewski Hall. Photo/University of Cincinnati.
Related Stories
Why is there a statue of Stephen Foster in Cincinnati?
June 26, 2026
Even if you don't know American parlor composer Stephen Foster, you’ve probably heard his music. His mid-19th century folk songs, including “Camptown Races” and “Oh Susanna,” make appearances in pop culture to this day. There’s a statue of Foster overlooking the Ohio river in Alms Park that prompted WVXU's Bill Rinehart to feature him in his Cincinnati mysteries segment, OKI Wanna Know. WVXU turned to University of Cincinnati music history expert Kristy Swift for a peek into Foster’s life and impact in the region.
World Cup watch parties unite fans, communities
June 26, 2026
UC Assistant Professor Letisha Brown tells Spectrum News that watch parties for sporting events and entertainment are popular because people feed on others' excitement.
Drone-delivered groceries descending into Cincinnati
June 25, 2026
Walmart is bringing drone delivery to Cincinnati, as reported by 700WLW. Host Scott Sloan spoke with Michael Jones, associate professor of economics at the University of Cincinnati's Lindner College of Business, for a look at what it means for Cincinnati shoppers.