10 Everyday questions you should ask your pharmacist (instead of Dr Google)

We’ve all been there: you feel unwell, notice a symptom, or forget how to take a medication, and your first instinct is to turn to Google. But search engines can’t tell you what’s safe for you, and online information is often outdated, incomplete, or misleading.¹ Your pharmacist, however, can.

Pharmacists don’t just hand over prescriptions. They’re highly trained healthcare professionals, committed to guiding you with safe, evidence-based, and practical advice for your ailments, symptoms, medication preferences and lifestyle.² And because medicine, treatments, and guidelines are always evolving, pharmacist professionals stay up to date with continuous education via online learning, such as, Pharmacy Institute, a trusted eLearning academy designed specifically for pharmacy professionals.³

Here are 10 everyday questions your pharmacist can answer more accurately and safely than Dr Google (or ChatGPT):

1. “What’s the difference between a brand-name and generic medicine?”

Your pharmacist can explain whether a generic medicine works the same way as the brand option,⁴ what the differences are, and when it’s safe to switch, often saving you money without compromising quality. There are also other alternatives to branded medication. Brands are the originals, generics are cost-effective copies, biosimilars apply to complex biological medicines, and compounded or bio-identical medicines are tailored options. Each version has a place, but not all are interchangeable. Always check with your pharmacist before switching.

2. “Can I take these medicines together?”

Mixing medicines, supplements, or even herbal remedies can sometimes cause harmful interactions.⁵ In other cases, they may reduce absorption, making one or both less effective. Your pharmacist is trained to spot these risks instantly and guide you on what’s safe to take together.

3. “What’s the best way to take this medicine?”

Timing and food can make a big difference. Some medicines work best in the morning, others at night. Certain tablets should be taken with food to aid absorption or protect your stomach, while others need an empty stomach to be fully effective. For example, common TB medicines must be taken on an empty stomach to work properly, while many blood pressure medicines are best taken at night to reduce side effects like dizziness. Pharmacists understand these nuances and can guide you on how to take your medicine correctly to ensure maximum benefit while minimising side effects.⁶

4. “Are there lifestyle changes that could help my condition?”

Medicines are only part of the picture. Pharmacists can recommend everyday changes, like better sleep habits, stress management, quitting smoking, or simple diet adjustments, that can make your treatment more effective. For example, people with high blood pressure are advised to reduce salt intake and increase physical activity, while patients with diabetes benefit from regular exercise and monitoring carbohydrate intake. In South Africa, where conditions like hypertension and type 2 diabetes are common, pharmacists are well placed to guide you with practical, culturally relevant lifestyle advice that supports your treatment plan and improves your overall health.^2,7

5. “How do I manage common side effects?”

Instead of spiraling into panic by searching side effects online, your pharmacist can explain which side effects are normal, which may need a dosage adjustment, and which require urgent medical attention.⁸ Trust the expertise of your pharmacist rather than being freaked out by the pack insert, Google, or feedback from others you don’t know or trust on social networks, like Reddit.

6. “What’s safe to give my child for pain, fever, or cough?”

Children aren’t just “small adults.” Dosages and treatment options differ for children and adults.⁹ Pharmacists are trained to best advise you on safe, effective over-the-counter remedies and lifestyle advice to help your little ones recover from common ailments or help build their immune system and prevent illness. They’re also trained to identify red flag symptoms and refer your child to a doctor for further evaluation if necessary.

7. “Do I really need antibiotics for this?”

Antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Pharmacists can explain when they’re helpful, when they’re not, and why overuse puts your health (and the world’s) at risk.¹⁰ They will also advise you if your symptoms need a doctor’s evaluation and, if necessary, a prescription for antibiotics. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, your pharmacist will explain why they’re needed, how best to take them, and how to complete the course correctly. They may also recommend supportive measures, such as probiotics or certain foods, to help maintain your gut microbiome during treatment. In South Africa, for example, colds and flu are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics, while confirmed bacterial infections like strep throat, urinary tract infections, or tuberculosis do. Pharmacists can help you understand the difference and guide you safely.

8. “What vaccines do I need this year?”

Pharmacists can advise you on flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and even travel vaccines.¹¹ Their ongoing training and continuous learning via Pharmacy Institute will ensure you get the latest evidence-based preventative medical recommendations to keep you and your family protected.

9. “Is this supplement actually worth it?”

Pharmacy shelves are filled with vitamins and supplements that promise significant health benefits, but not all are necessary or effective. Pharmacists can help you cut through the marketing and choose products backed by solid scientific evidence for safety and efficacy.¹² For example, in South Africa, vitamin D and calcium are often recommended for bone health, while certain herbal products like rooibos or African potato are popular but may have limited evidence. Your pharmacist can explain which options are worthwhile for your specific needs, and which ones may just waste your money.

Be sure to ask your pharmacist before taking supplements if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have chronic conditions such as kidney disease, liver problems, and heart disease.
• Take chronic medicines, such as blood thinners, ARVs, and chemotherapy, that may interact with supplements.
• Giving supplements to children or older adults.

If the supplement claims to “cure” serious diseases like cancer, HIV, or TB, be sure to get your pharmacist’s professional opinion.

10. “When should I see a doctor instead?”

Perhaps the most important question of all. Pharmacists are trained to recognise red flags and will guide you to your GP or specialist when it’s time for further evaluation or medical intervention.^2,13

Why you can trust your pharmacist

Unlike random online sources, your pharmacist’s advice is backed by science and continuous professional development. The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) requires ongoing learning and competency development for all registered pharmacists.¹⁴ Through recognised Continuous Professional Development Services such as Pharmacy Institute,³ pharmacists stay abreast with the latest medical guidelines, new treatment options, and patient-care strategies. This means that every time you walk into a pharmacy, you’re speaking to a healthcare professional who is committed to their own lifelong learning so they can offer you the best care and advice possible.

Next time you’re tempted to Google your symptoms or second-guess your medication, turn to your pharmacist instead. They’re not just medicine experts, they’re your most accessible, trusted and qualified first-line health partner.

References

1. Tan SS, Goonawardene N. Internet health information seeking and the patient–physician relationship: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(1):e9. 2. World Health Organization. The role of the pharmacist in self-care and self-medication. Geneva: WHO; 1998. 3. Pharmacy Institute evidence-based continuous learning exclusive to Pharmacist HCPs. Available from: https://www.pharmacyinstitute.co.za 4. Food and Drug Administration. Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers. Silver Spring: FDA; 2022. 5. Hsu YH, Chang CW, Lee YS. Potential drug–drug interactions in outpatient prescriptions for elderly patients with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr. 2021;21(1):10. 6. National Health Service. How and when to take medicines safely. NHS; 2023. 7. Department of Health (South Africa). Standard treatment guidelines and essential medicines list. Pretoria: DOH; 2020. 8.                Watanabe JH, McInnis T, Hirsch JD. Cost of prescription drug–related morbidity and mortality. Ann Pharmacother. 2018;52(9):829–37. 9. World Health Organization. Pocket book of hospital care for children: guidelines for the management of common illnesses. 2nd ed. Geneva: WHO; 2013. 10. National Department of Health (South Africa). Antimicrobial resistance national strategy framework: 2017–2024. Pretoria: DOH; 2017. 11. National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Vaccination information for the public [Internet]. Johannesburg: NICD; 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.nicd.ac.za 12. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Bethesda: NCCIH; 2023. 13. South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). Good pharmacy practice standards. Pretoria: SAPC; 2018. 14. South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). Continuing professional development [Internet]. Pretoria: SAPC; 2024 [cited 2025 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.sapc.za.org