Questions
Questions for a professional
This is not a consultation or a contact form: we do not answer questions about treatment. Here are questions that patients or their families may find useful to ask a doctor or pharmacist, to understand exactly what has been prescribed, where to get it legally and how to approach news about new medicines.
Your doctor knows your condition; your pharmacist knows what is on the shelf and how to store it. Together they can answer most of the questions people take to dubious sellers.
How this section works: we suggest what to ask, but we do not answer on the professional's behalf. Anything that depends on a particular person's condition — choice of medicine, regimen, switching or stopping — is decided by the treating doctor.
For your doctor — about prescribed treatment
How do I write down the prescription so nothing gets mixed up?
Ask the doctor to say or write down the name of the active substance, the form and how to take it. Write it down right away at the appointment, and ask about anything that sounds unclear.
What if the pharmacy offers a different package?
Ask your doctor in advance whether a switch to a product with the same active substance is acceptable, and whether there are reasons to avoid it in your case.
What should I watch for after I start taking it?
Ask which changes in how you feel you should report, and where to turn if they happen in the evening or at the weekend.
For your pharmacist — about buying and storage
How should I store this medicine at home?
The pharmacist will tell you whether temperature, light and humidity matter and where to find this information on the package. A written storage rule is useful for the whole family.
Can I order what I need through your pharmacy?
Many pharmacies can order items that are out of stock. It is a legal route that saves you from searching among random sellers.
The package looks different — is that normal?
Show the package and receipt to the pharmacist. They will check the details and explain why the appearance may have changed, or advise you where to go to have your concerns looked into.
About research and new medicines
I read about a new medicine — is it right for me?
Bring the link or a printout to your appointment. The doctor will explain what stage the product is at and whether the news is relevant to your situation.
Is it worth taking part in a clinical trial?
Ask whether there are trials suitable for you specifically, how taking part might help and what the risks are, and what rights a participant has.
What do I sign before taking part?
An informed consent form. Ask for time to read it at home and to ask questions; you can decline to take part with no effect on your usual care.
Related sections
- Safety
How to avoid fakes: checking a pharmacy, warning signs and habits that protect you from falsified medicines.
- Research
How to read news about a "new drug" and about clinical trials without mistaking a headline for a conclusion.
- Glossary
Terms you meet in package leaflets, registers and news about medicines — short and to the point.
Sources
- State Register of Medicines (Ministry of Health of Russia)
- Roszdravnadzor (Russian federal health-care watchdog)
Information is current as of the preparation date. Rules for registering medicines and selling them at a distance change from time to time, so check the official registers — in Russia, those of the Ministry of Health and Roszdravnadzor; elsewhere, your national medicines regulator — and ask a doctor or pharmacist about treatment.