More Than a Medication Pickup: Community Pharmacy Services You’re Probably Overlooking
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Wait...going to the pharmacy isn't just running an errand?
Your local Cone Health Community Pharmacy plays a vital role in supporting your overall health and well-being. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who help manage medications, prevent problems, and guide decisions that affect your daily life—not just when you’re sick.
What should I ask the pharmacist when I pick up a prescription?
Even if you’ve taken a medication for years, your health, other medications, or recent research may have changed. Pharmacists can catch drug interactions, review dosage timing, explain side effects, and ensure nothing new conflicts with your current treatment or over-the-counter products.
For over-the-counter (OTC) medications, remember that just because a product is on the shelf doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone. Some cold, allergy, and supplement products can affect blood pressure, blood sugar, or interact with prescriptions. Asking a pharmacist ensures you choose something safe for your specific health conditions.
How can I keep multiple medications organized?
Many community pharmacies offer adherence packaging. Medications are pre-sorted by day and time into easy-to-open packets, removing the confusion of pill boxes and helping ensure doses aren’t missed—especially helpful for caregivers and patients with complex regimens.
What steps do I take to set up adherence packaging or support services?
Simply call any Cone Health Community Pharmacy location. Ask about adherence packaging, medication synchronization, or delivery options. Pharmacy teams can coordinate everything, including transfers from other pharmacies if needed
How do I get automatic refills?
Community pharmacies frequently offer automatic refills, medication synchronization (so prescriptions refill on the same day), home delivery, and curbside pickup—making medication management easier for busy schedules or limited mobility.
Do I have to be a patient at Cone Health to use a Cone Health Community Pharmacy?
No. Cone Health Community Pharmacies are open to everyone, regardless of where your provider practices. They can easily transfer prescriptions, carry over-the-counter products, and special-order items tailored to your needs.
Which over-the-counter items should I keep on hand?
Common essentials include pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen), fever reducers, stomach relief products, and allergy medications. However, pharmacists can help you decide which options are safest for you and your household.
Surprisingly, the best place to store medications is not the bathroom medicine cabinet. Medications should be kept in a cool, dry place—often a kitchen cabinet—away from heat, moisture, children, and pets. Proper storage helps medications remain effective and safe.
What services can I receive at a Cone Health Community Pharmacy besides prescriptions?
Pharmacists can review your immunization history, check state registries, recommend needed vaccines, and administer many routine vaccinations—all without an appointment.
Additionally, Cone Health Community Pharmacy offers FREE home delivery at no charge to you for prescription medications in North Carolina and Virginia. Take prescription pickup off your to-do list and just enroll online or by phone at (336) 218-5762 and receive your medications within 2 business days.
Community pharmacists are part of your healthcare team. They help with medication affordability, enroll patients in assistance programs, coordinate with providers, answer health questions, and step in when extra support is needed—making healthcare more accessible and manageable.
Watch the full WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation with Heather Vance, PharmD, with Cone Health Community Pharmacy below.
