The Medication Therapy Services Clinic at MUN’s School of Pharmacy is playing a role in Well-Being Week activities this week.

Dr. Cathy Balsom and her team study the impacts of ‘medication burden’ on patients – that is, the number and variety of medications a particular patient may be taking.

She says that can affect a person’s physical, mental and financial health depending on the type and price of the medications prescribed.

Their role is to help patients take a more pro-active approach to the medications they may be taking.

“We chat with patients about their medications, help them learn what they’re taking, give them that empowerment to be more active in their medication taking,” says Balsom. “Then we work with the prescribers to improve things so perhaps medications aren’t needed anymore, or perhaps there’s a more affordable option available. We’re really here to promote that well-being through the appropriate use of medications.”