How Your Pharmacist Can HelpTop Ten Tips
A visit to a community pharmacist can save money, save time and keep Australians healthy. Community pharmacies offer more and more services every year. The “Ask Discover More” and “Ask your Pharmacist campaigns encourage Australians to learn more about the services available from chemists such as our own Moss Vale Community Pharmacy.
This fact sheet lists our top 10 reasons why it is worth visiting a community pharmacy.
- Clinically trained pharmacists are available at convenient hours with no appointment. One in five Australians say wait times at their GP are no longer acceptable.
- Minor ailments, like colds, hay fever, aches and pains can be assessed by a pharmacist and treatment recommPharmacist SkillsHended on the spot.
- Many pharmacy services are free, so consumers can get good health advice without paying the approximately $30 Medicare gap payment for visiting a GP for a standard consultation.
- Pharmacists can issue certificates (for a fee) for sick leave absence from workplaces for certain conditions. No appointments necessary.
- Pharmacists love helping with new babies. They are trained to give advice on feeding, nutrition and baby care, and many can weigh baby in-store.
- Dressings and pain relief after a medical procedure or hospital stay can be supplied.
- Minor sports injuries can be assessed and treated in-store by a pharmacist without the need to wait at accident and emergency or a medical centre.
- Community pharmacies can help save you money by making sure you are taking only the right medicines you need at the right dose. A recent survey showed 90% of people with asthma were using their inhaler medicines incorrectly.
- Your pharmacy can pack your medicines in a dose administration aid to make sure you are taking the right medicines at the right time.
- Community pharmacies offer advice on medicines over the phone to people who are unable to leave home and come into the pharmacy. Pharmacists also offer home medicine reviews (a home visit at no cost to the patient) funded by Government for some needy patients.
To discover even more visit Moss Vale Community Pharmacy or www.askyourpharmacist.com.au
