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More Than A Script

More Than A Script

Do you have diabetes or high blood pressure?

Your community pharmacy offers health advice – at no extra cost!

Pharmacists want to help you live healthier – and they offer so much more than prescriptions! Come in for advice, education, and ongoing support to help you manage your conditions and achieve your goals.

  • Through More than A Script, pharmacists at some independent pharmacies can give you expert health advice for managing diabetes (high blood sugar) or hypertension (high blood pressure).
  • The pharmacist will work with your doctor so nothing gets missed in your care.
  • If you're eligible, you may get a call from a community pharmacy or a letter or email from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).
  • Make an appointment, or just walk in and ask!

If you’re eligible, these services are available at no cost to you because Blue Cross NC pays for certain health plan members to use More Than A Script.

What happens during pharmacist visits?

Your first conversation will focus on the pharmacist getting to know you and answering your questions. They might have you fill out a short questionnaire about your health and lifestyle.

Depending on your health needs, the pharmacist could recommend that you meet with them every 4-6 weeks (you can opt out anytime). These consultations can be virtual, over the phone, or in person. During these meetings, they will:

  • Teach you skills for caring for your conditions, such as testing your own blood sugar or blood pressure, giving yourself injections, and spotting signs of health changes
  • Set you up with pharmacy services, such as having your medicines delivered to your home or packaged to be easier to take at the right times
  • Work with you on personalized eating and exercise plans
  • Teach you how to meal plan, use food labels, and other skills to help you eat healthier
  • Give you homework, such as keeping a food diary or logging your blood pressure at home, to discuss at each visit
  • Test your blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, or other measures of your health
  • Discuss other health care you may need, such as shots or screenings
  • Work with your doctor to recommend changes to your treatment

Why should I use this no-cost service?

Most people with diabetes or high blood pressure can enjoy better health if they stick to good habits around food, medicine, exercise, and lifestyle.

Pharmacists can help make sure you understand how, when, and how much of which meds to take. This can save your life!

Pharmacists can help you start and stick with healthier food and exercise habits.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, seeing someone between doctor appointments can make it easier for you to manage your health. If you don’t have a doctor, find one on the Blue Connect member services web portal.

Approximately 1,055,400 people in North Carolina, or 12.4% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.1

 

As of 2020, about 2.8 million adults in North Carolina (35%) have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.2

Facts about diabetes and high blood pressure

You are not alone. Many, many North Carolinians have these conditions. 

Untreated diabetes and high blood pressure can cause serious health problems.

People with diabetes have to pay about 2.6 times as much in medical expenses as those who don’t have diabetes.1

In 2018, high blood pressure caused or contributed to at least 27% of all deaths in North Carolina.2

What to ask the pharmacist

These lists of sample questions can help you figure out what you may want to ask. You can use them as they are, or change them to fit your health concerns.

  • Can you help me make sure I’m taking my meds correctly and safely? (Bring them with you!)
  • I’m having side effects with my meds. Is this to be expected? What can I do?
  • Can you walk me through how to give myself insulin injections?
  • What signs of health issues should I look out for? When do I need to call my doctor?
  • What kinds of exercises are safe for me?
  • I have trouble sticking with an exercise routine. Can you help me?
  • Do I need to wear or carry anything special with me when exercising? 
  • I drink occasionally. How does that affect my diabetes?
  • What kinds of snacks do you suggest I keep with me? Which foods should I avoid?
  • Do you have any grocery shopping tips that can help me stay healthy?

  • Can you help me make sure I’m taking my meds correctly and safely? (Bring them with you!)
  • I’m having side effects with my meds. Is this to be expected? What can I do?
  • How can I check my blood pressure at home? (Bring in your cuff and the pharmacist can give you a demo! Don’t have one? They can help you find an affordable one that works for you.)
  • Do you have any tips that can help me stick with a low-salt diet? Recipes, ideas for different seasonings, or healthier choices when eating out?
  • How do I measure my own heartbeat?
  • What can I do to reduce stress?
  • What kinds of exercise are safe for me?
  • I have trouble sticking with an exercise routine. Can you help me?

What’s the catch?

The short answer – none! It’s win-win-win: For the pharmacists, for Blue Cross NC, and for you.

Blue Cross NC pays pharmacists to help our members with diabetes and high blood pressure stay healthy. (More than A Script is the first program in North Carolina to do this!)

When our members with diabetes and high blood pressure take their meds correctly and stick to good habits, they tend to stay healthier. Healthier people tend to have fewer emergencies and need to spend less time in the hospital. This saves money, both for them and for Blue Cross NC.

Since people go to the pharmacy more often than to their doctor, pharmacists can help them stay on track between doctor visits. More than A Script connects the dots between members’ needs, pharmacists’ expertise, and Blue Cross NC’s purpose – to make health care better for all.

Participating pharmacies by county

Warrens Drug Store
919-563-3102

Town and Country Drugs
828-632-2278

CPC Pharmacy (Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center)
252-209-0237

Seashore Drugs
910-579-3200

Cold Mountain Pharmacy Services (HealthRidge Pharmacy)
828-669-9970

Sona Pharmacy
828-298-3636

Table Rock Pharmacy
828-438-9355

Moose Professional Pharmacy - Concord
704-784-9613

Moose Pharmacy - Mount Pleasant
704-436-9613

Truecare Pharmacy
704-788-6337

Realo Discount Drug - Beaufort
252-732-2090

Realo Discount Drug - Cape Carteret
252-393-3345

Siler City Pharmacy
919-663-5541

King's Pharmacy
828-837-7474

KM Pharmacy
704-739-1698

Baldwin Woods Pharmacy
910-642-8141

Realo Discount Drug - New Bern
252-636-1711

Clinic Pharmacy
910-734-3397

Express Discount Pharmacy
910-491-2431

Village Pharmacy
910-734-3397

Beach Pharmacy of Hatteras
252-986-2400

Island Pharmacy Inc.
252-473-5801

Denton Drug
336-859-2191

Kenansville Pharmacy
910-296-0500

Realo Discount Drug - Wallace
910-285-1120

Central Pharmacy
919-220-5121

Gurley's Pharmacy, Inc.
919-688-8978

Rocky Mount Medical Park Pharmacy
252-443-7979

Southside Discount Pharmacy
336-830-8774

Triad Choice Pharmacy
336-893-6286

Walkertown Family Pharmacy
336-595-6979

Akers Pharmacy
704-865-3411

Moose Pharmacy of Mount Holly
704-827-2211

You 1st Pharmacy
980-320-0160

Professional Pharmacy of Oxford, LLC
919-693-8555

McDowell Pharmacy
252-826-4137

Allcare Pharmacy
919-639-6030

Hogan's Pharmacy
910-893-4544

Thomas Drug Store of Dunn
910-892-2114

Kim’s Pharmacy
828-452-2313

Etowah Pharmacy Inc.
828-890-0022

Banner Drug Co. - Whiteville
704-878-6681

Cannon Pharmacy - Mooresville
704-658-9870

Cashiers Valley Pharmacy
828-743-3114

Beddingfield Drugs
919-606-7574

Eastern Carolina Medical Center Pharmacy
919-207-1027

Realo Discount Drug Four Oaks
919-980-4031

Realo Discount Drugs - Smithfield
919-934-2111

Kinston Clinic North
252-523-3187

Keever Pharmacy
704-735-9072

Madison Pharmacy & Gifts
828-649-1632

Leggett Drugs
252-685-7979

Avant Pharmacy & Wellness
704-537-0909

Avant Pharmacy & Wellness 2
704-900-2832

Carefirst Specialty Pharmacy
704-504-8646

Kaitlyn's Pharmacy
704-588-9623

Lakeside Pharmacy
980-441-8600

Mint Hill Pharmacy
704-910-2718

Pike's Pharmacy, Inc.
704-563-2286

Premier Pharmacy & Wellness
704-496-9182

Queens Pharmacy
980-880-6400

Whispering Pines Prescription Shoppe, LLC
910-783-4968

Bailey Pharmacy
252-235-3562

Port City Pharmacy
910-444-3300

Doctors Park Pharmacy
910-353-5733

Realo Discount Drug - Jacksonville
910-455-9982

Hillsborough Pharmacy
919-245-1212

Bayboro Pharmacy
252-745-5539

Realo Discount Drug - Hampstead
910-821-1066

Rocky Point Pavilion Pharmacy
910-210-2030

Pharmville Drug
252-787-5990

Realo Discount Drug - Greenville
252-355-3538

 

Prevo Drug
336-625-4311

Randleman Drug
336-495-5100

Zoo City Drug
336-626-3784

Zoo City Drug II
336-626-9002

DR Pharmacy
910-434-8951

Brisson Drugs
910-865-4135

Carter Pharmacy
910-522-5152

Fairmont Drug Company
910-628-4200

Carolina Apothecary Inc.
336-394-1113

Moose Pharmacy - Salisbury
704-636-6340

Hardin's Drug Store No 2
828-657-5353

Medicine Box Pharmacy of Rutherfordton 
828-287-7117

Moose Pharmacy - Locust
704-888-2114

Gates Pharmacy
336-789-5050

Scenic Pharmacy Inc.
336-352-5900

Moose Pharmacy - Monroe
704-283-8131

Old Monroe Pharmacy
704-831-7895

Medical Arts Pharmacy
252-492-3404

Falls River Pharmacy
919-844-2055

Hayes-Barton Pharmacy
919-832-4641

Josefs Pharmacy - Raleigh
919-212-2555

Person Street Pharmacy
919-832-6432

Realo Discount Drug - Fuquay Varina
919-552-1126

Futrell Pharmacy
252-578-1557

Marmac Pharmacy
919-734-0888

Rosewood Pharmacy
919-734-4447

Realo Discount Drug - Wilson
252-991-6967

Wilson Value Drug Store
252-293-4177

Disclosures:

  1. American Diabetes Association, Statistics by State: NC (PDF) (Accessed October 2024).

  2. Eat Smart, Move More. High Blood Pressure in North Carolina - Fact Sheet (Accessed June 2024).

More Than A Script is a decision support tool offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Decisions about care should be made between members and their health care providers. More Than A Script does not replace the primary care physician or other health care providers. Participating pharmacies are independent and do not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.

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