Patient Education Materials from Pharmacists: What to Ask For

Most people assume 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 medications actually work in your body-and they’re trained to explain it in a way you can use. Yet too many patients leave the pharmacy without asking for the right tools. You don’t have to wait for them to offer. You can-and should-ask for specific, personalized education materials every time you pick up a prescription.

What You’re Entitled to Ask For

Pharmacists aren’t just filling bottles. They’re legally required to counsel you on key details about your meds, especially if you’re on Medicaid or Medicare Part D. But many patients don’t know what’s included-or how to push for more. Here’s what you can and should request:

• Medication-specific printed handouts that list the drug’s purpose, dosage, timing, and what to do if you miss a dose. These aren’t generic drug inserts-they should be tailored to your condition and routine.
• Demonstration of how to use your device. If you’re using an inhaler, insulin pen, auto-injector, or nebulizer, ask the pharmacist to show you how to use it. Then ask them to watch you do it. This is called “return demonstration,” and studies show it cuts errors by over 60%.
• Written instructions in your preferred language. The Patient Education Reference Center (PERC) offers over 15,000 handouts in English and Spanish, with many available in other languages too. Don’t settle for a translated version you don’t fully understand.
• Visual aids. Ask if they have pictures showing what your pills look like, or diagrams of how to store them (e.g., “keep in fridge,” “avoid sunlight”). One 2023 study found patients who saw actual pill images had 76% better technique than those who only got verbal instructions.
• A personalized medication schedule. Instead of just a list, ask for a simple chart that matches your daily routine: “Take this with breakfast,” “Take this at bedtime,” “Skip this if you’re nauseous.” A 2023 study showed 73% of patients stuck to their meds better when they had this.
• Documentation of your counseling. Ask if your counseling session was added to your medical record. Under ASHP guidelines, it should be. This ensures your doctor and other providers know what you were told.

Why Pharmacists Are Better at This Than Doctors

Doctors spend 8-12 minutes per visit. They’re focused on diagnosis, tests, and overall treatment. Pharmacists? They spend most of their day on medications. The average pharmacist has 6.2 years of clinical experience specifically managing drug therapy, according to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. That’s not a guess-it’s data.

That’s why patients report clearer instructions from pharmacists on things like:

• How to properly shake an inhaler before use
• Whether to take a pill with food or on an empty stomach
• What to do if you vomit after taking a dose
• How to tell if your blood pressure med is actually working

A 2022 study in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that 87% of patients felt they understood how to take their meds better after talking to a pharmacist than after their doctor’s visit. Why? Pharmacists break down complex info into steps you can follow. They don’t just say “take once daily.” They say, “Take it at 8 a.m., right after you brush your teeth, with a full glass of water.”

What’s Missing from Most Pharmacy Materials

Not all handouts are created equal. A 2021 audit from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy found only 35% of pharmacy-printed materials were written at a 6th-grade reading level-the standard recommended for people with limited health literacy. That’s a problem because 80 million U.S. adults struggle to understand basic health info.

Many handouts still use phrases like:

• “May cause gastrointestinal upset”
• “Monitor for signs of hepatotoxicity”
• “Contraindicated in severe renal impairment”

That’s not helpful. It’s confusing. You should ask for plain language: “This medicine might give you an upset stomach. Take it with food to help.”

Another big gap? Cost. Only 18% of patients say their pharmacist ever talked to them about cheaper alternatives-even though 62% need them, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. If your prescription is expensive, ask: “Is there a generic version? A lower-cost option? A 90-day supply that saves money?”

How to Ask Without Feeling Awkward

You don’t need to be confrontational. Just be direct and polite. Use this simple script:

“I want to make sure I’m taking this right. Can you give me a printed handout with the details you just told me? And could you show me how to use the [inhaler/pen/injector]? I’d like to practice so I’m sure I’m doing it right.”

Or if you’re worried about cost: “This prescription is a little steep. Do you have any suggestions for saving money on it?”

Pharmacists are trained to answer these questions. If they seem rushed, say: “I know you’re busy, but this medication is important to me. Can we take two extra minutes to go over it?”

And if they say, “We don’t have that,” ask: “Can you print one from UpToDate or PERC? I’ve seen them before-they’re really helpful.” Most pharmacies use these systems. If they don’t, ask for a referral to a clinic or community health center that does.

The 7 Essential Questions to Ask Every Time

Use this checklist every time you get a new prescription. It’s based on ASHP guidelines and covers everything you need to know:

1. What is this medication for? (Not just “for your blood pressure”-but “to lower your blood pressure so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard.”)
2. How and when should I take it? (With food? At night? On an empty stomach? Every 12 hours?)
3. What should I do if I miss a dose? (Skip it? Double up? Take it as soon as you remember?)
4. What side effects should I expect? (Which ones are normal? Which ones mean I need to call you?)
5. How will I know if it’s working? (Will my pain go down? Will my sugar numbers change? How long until I feel better?)
6. How should I store it? (Fridge? Room temperature? Away from kids? In original bottle?)
7. Is there anything else I need to know? (Can I drink alcohol? Can I drive? Should I avoid certain foods? Any interactions with my other meds?)

What’s Changing in 2025 and Beyond

The rules are shifting. In May 2025, the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners updated its guidelines to make patient education a core part of care-not just an add-on. Now, pharmacists are expected to confirm you understand before you leave. That means they should ask you to repeat back what you learned.

Starting in January 2026, Medicare Part D plans will be required to offer pharmacist-led medication therapy management as a covered benefit. That means 52 million seniors will have access to structured, ongoing education-not just a one-time chat.

Also, the FDA is pushing for simpler Medication Guides with QR codes that link to video demos. And hospitals are testing “patient activation scores” to measure how well education improves long-term outcomes.

But none of this matters if you don’t ask. The system is getting better. But you still have to speak up.

Real Stories, Real Results

One patient, u/HealthyWarrior88 on Reddit, shared how their pharmacist printed a custom handout showing exactly how to rotate injection sites for Lantus insulin. Their doctor never explained it. The pharmacist showed them with a diagram. Adherence jumped from 40% to 95% in two weeks.

Another patient, a 72-year-old woman with diabetes, told her pharmacist she couldn’t read the tiny print on her pill bottle. The pharmacist gave her a large-print calendar with photos of each pill and when to take it. She hasn’t missed a dose in eight months.

These aren’t rare cases. They’re what happens when patients ask for what they need.

Final Tip: Don’t Wait for the Next Visit

If you’re on a chronic medication-like for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol-don’t wait until you’re having problems. Go back to the pharmacy every 3-6 months and say: “I’ve been taking this for a while. Can we go over it again? I want to make sure I’m still doing it right.”

Pharmacists want you to succeed. But they can’t read your mind. You have to ask. And when you do, you’re not just getting paper. You’re getting a tool that helps you live better, longer, and safer.