SERVICES PROVIDED

LONG-TERM CONDITIONS (LTC) SERVICE

This service is designed for people with long-term illnesses who may need support with their medicines. An assessment is used to identify the things that affect their ability to take medication as prescribed. Pharmacists work together with the patient to address each issue. The pharmacist is able to assist you with managing your medications and can coordinate your medications so that your prescription repeats happen all at the same time and therefore require only one trip to have your prescriptions refilled. They can also provide you with a reminder service (via text message, email or phone call) to let you know when your next supply of medications is ready for collection. If you are having difficulties managing your medicines (e.g. forgetting to take them), please ask your pharmacist whether this service is right for you.

CLOZAPINE DISPENSING

It is very important that you receive regular blood tests while you are taking clozapine. We will check your blood tests to make sure the appropriate dose of clozapine is dispensed for you.

OPIOID SUBSTITUTION TREATMENT SERVICE

This pharmacy works alongside the DHB Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) programme. Pharmacy staff can administer methadone or Suboxone on a daily, or a takeaway basis, depending on what has been agreed.

SMOKING CESSATION

Pharmacy staff are trained to provide a service to help people to stop smoking. This service includes advice and providing quit smoking support aids e.g. nicotine gum.

MEDICINES COMPLIANCE PACKAGING

This pharmacy can repack your medicines into compliance packaging (blister packs or sachet rolls) that specifies when you should take them. These can be supplied as weekly or monthly packs depending on your needs. This type of packaging can help you to take your medicine at the right time. It can also make it easier to see if you have missed a dose or are running out. It is useful if you are travelling as it avoids having to take multiple containers.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIS)

This pharmacy has trained pharmacists who can supply the antibiotics nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim for urinary tract infections. These are available without a prescription to women between 16 and 65 years of age, who are not pregnant and do not have any other complicating factors. The pharmacist will complete a consultation to make sure the medicine is appropriate and refer you to the GP if required.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL (ECP)

Our pharmacists are trained to assess whether the ECP is appropriate for you. This is done in a confidential manner. The ECP works best if taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse but may be taken up to 72 hours after. There is usually a charge associated with receiving the ECP.

SILDENAFIL DISPENSING FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

This pharmacy has specially trained pharmacists who are able to prescribe sildenafil for erectile dysfunction in men aged 35 – 70 years who meet specific assessment criteria.

SPECIALISED WOUND CARE

Some wounds require extra attention and skill to manage. This pharmacy has staff qualified to do this and can refer you to your doctor if necessary.

WINZ AND OTHER REPORTS

If you require reports on your medicines or the cost of your medicines please ask a member of the pharmacy team.

Influenza (flu) vaccines

This pharmacy has staff that are trained and authorised to give flu vaccinations. Many pharmacies will vaccinate children – call the pharmacy to check first.

Flu vaccinations are free for those people who are most likely to get very sick. To find out if you are eligible for a free flu vaccination go to the Ministry of Health website. For everyone else there is a charge for this service.

Medicine & needles disposal service

Unwanted medicines are often dumped into the toilet, tipped down the sink or put out with the garbage, which starts a journey that can seriously harm the environment. Please return any expired or unwanted medicines, or needles/lancets and syringes to your pharmacy. In doing so, we can make our home a safer place, help safeguard our community and protect our environment. There is no charge for this service.

Community Pharmacy Anti-coagulation Managment Service

Selected oral contraceptives

Our specially trained pharmacists can supply selected oral contraceptives without a prescription under certain circumstances.

Up to six months’ supply of selected oral contraceptives can be sold to women who have previously been prescribed the same oral contraceptive within the last three years and who have not developed any risk factors.

There is a charge for both the medicine and the consultation when you receive this service.

Vaccines

• Influenza (flu) vaccine

Immunisation is one of the most effective medical interventions to prevent infections and has led to the decline of many serious, potentially lethal, diseases. There may be a charge for this service.