Updated June 08, 2015.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

Typically, most of us bring our prescriptions to the nearest drug store and base our pharmacy choice on convenience alone. But for those who have complex medical conditions, such as a blood or marrow cancer, the decision may be a little more complicated. The following explains why—and how—you can and should choose a great pharmacy.

Special Needs

People with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma have special pharmacy needs.

You may be on multiple medications, take specialized drugs for treating cancer and therapy side effects, and have specific concerns related to your condition. In addition, you will likely require the services of a good pharmacy for many months or years.

Important Members of the Health Team

Pharmacists are educated in medication and health care, and are an excellent resource between visits to your specialist. Pharmacists can provide information and advice if you are:

• Taking new medications
• Experiencing side effects from your treatment
• Wondering which over-the-counter medications could benefit you
• Having a hard time taking your medications
• Experiencing difficulty keeping track of your drug regimen
• Confused about your insurance drug coverage
• Having difficulty affording the cost of your treatments

As such, pharmacists are very important members of your healthcare team. Choosing a pharmacy has just as much to do with choosing a great pharmacist.

How to Spot a Great Pharmacist

As a partner in your health, it's worthwhile to take the time to seek out the best pharmacist for your needs.

Great pharmacists

• Are knowledgeable about your medications as well as your condition
• Have time to spend answering your questions
• Use clear language that is easy for you to understand
• Show concern for your health and wellbeing
• Act as advocates
• Collaborate with your physician when necessary
• Make you feel comfortable
• Work with you to find healthy solutions to your medical concerns
• Behave in a professional manner
• Are approachable

What Else to Look For in a Pharmacy

In addition to having an excellent pharmacist, you should consider other factors when choosing a pharmacy. Ask yourself:

• Is it convenient to use this pharmacy? Not only is the physical location important, but things like hours of operation, parking availability, direct insurance billing, home medication delivery, or charge information kept on file for you are as well.
• Do they carry the medications that are being used in your care? Cancer medications are unique and often only handled by certain pharmacies.
• Do they keep records about your medication and healthcare history?
• Are they too busy to allow time to have your questions and concerns addressed?
• Do they provide services such as immunizations?
• Is there an area in the pharmacy where you can ask questions privately?
• Do they carry other medical equipment such as dressing supplies for central venous catheters or syringes for injectable medications?
• Are they affiliated with your cancer center? If possible, stick with pharmacists at your cancer center, as they are PharmDs and have specialized experience.
• Who is recommended by your doctor, nurse, or healthcare team?

Once you find a pharmacy that you're comfortable with, and which can serve your needs, commit to it. It’s a great idea to have all your prescriptions at one pharmacy, as this helps prevent medication errors and harmful drug interactions. It also allows your pharmacy to get to know you and your specific care needs.

Summing it Up

When you have a complex medical condition like blood and marrow cancer, it's important that you have an excellent team of healthcare professionals working alongside you. Pharmacists act as a resource to you and help you navigate through the maze of medications and therapies that you'll need. Therefore, when choosing a pharmacy at which to fill your prescriptions, give close consideration to who is helping you behind the counter, and the services they're able to provide.