If you have recently moved into a new state or part of the country, you may be surprised to know that there are different types of pharmacies. While there was always just your local drugstore in your hometown, different parts of the country may have a different setup. Here are a few pharmacies you may run into, depending on where you are in the nation. 

Community Pharmacies

A community pharmacy is one that can be found in a grocery store or community center. While still selling medications, community pharmacies will have pharmacists who, among other responsibilities, work with the community to ensure that prescriptions are taken correctly and responsibly. They frequently field and answer questions and can be used as a great resource to understand which over-the-counter medications may help with your short-term symptoms. 

Drugstores

A drugstore is a pharmacy with a small convenience store attached to it. There are several large chain drugstores across the United States, though there may not be any large drugstores near you. Drugstores offer a convenient way to pick up the basic shopping necessities along with your prescription, allowing you to avoid making several stops. 

Compounding Pharmacy

A compounding pharmacy is one where your prescriptions can be compounded into other forms. For example, if your child has a hard time drinking their oral cough syrup, you could have the medicine changed into a sucker or gummy candy, increasing the odds of successful administration. Many Americans compound their medications each year, finding that a form other than the generic oral pill can make taking their medications easier. There are even compounding pharmacies for animals, allowing you to better care for your pet. 

Clinical Pharmacy

A clinical pharmacy is one where clinically practicing pharmacists will actually see and treat patients. These professionals are usually experts in how medications interact with the body and can give you another perspective when searching for answers to health questions. They can also help you to figure out your medications and ensure that none of your prescriptions are counteracting with each other or causing you negative side effects. A clinical pharmacist can help you to find answers with regards to your prescriptions. 

In conclusion, while it may be a new experience to go to a different type of drugstore or pharmacy, you will soon find that the results are the same. Everyone is working together to try and help you live your best and most healthy life. 

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