At the Amherst Family Practice in Winchester, SU students talk to residents about the importance of using their medications safely.

If medicines are too expensive, students help patients find cheaper ways to get them.

Pharmacists accompany the students when they do outreach programs at doctor offices, hospitals and community centers.

Dr. Dawn Havrda teaches the students while they are in their clinical routine. She said having them at Amherst Family Practice is a win-win.

"They can make sure your drugs are working well together, making sure there are no other interactions with other drugs, over-the-counter agents, herbal agents," explains Dr. Havrda. "Even if people feel fine, they might have something going on that they are not aware of. Make sure there is no food interactions, that they are tolerating everything well. They can also find cost-effective therapy," adds Dr. Havrda.

Katie Silver is in the SU School of Pharmacy in her last year as a Pharm-D candidate.

"It's amazing how different people are and different medical conditions and even the way people eat really changes their anti-coagulation meds for example. So getting to know the patients and their habits can help you plan better," explains Silver.

Students and pharmacy faculty are on hand to answer questions regarding medications or confusion about how to take medicines.