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Antidote Lake Dunstan

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    Pharmacists can help to support the health of your family; they can provide advice and treatment for common minor illnesses for all ages.

    Pharmacists ensure that prescriptions are dispensed correctly and that the medicine and dose is appropriate for you, so that you receive the maximum benefits from your medicines. Your pharmacist will help you understand what your medicines are prescribed for, how to take them, possible side effects and how to store them.

    All advice and treatment is conducted in a professional and confidential manner and most services are provided free of charge and do not generally require an appointment.

    For safe disposal, please return any expired or unwanted medicines, or needles/lancets and syringes to your pharmacy. There is no charge for this service.

    Please don't hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions.

    COVID-19 antiviral medicine (if you have a prescription from your doctor or nurse)

    View the Ministry of Health website for information about COVID-19 antiviral medicine and who is eligible. Paxlovid is the only provided antiviral in New Zealand.

    You will need a prescription from your doctor or nurse to receive the medication.

    Emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) | Morning after pill

    Your 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, although at some pharmacies the ECP may be provided fully funded for eligible people.

    Free prescriptions for eligible people on your fully funded medicines

    From July 1st 2024 funded medicine prescriptions will have a $5 charge (non-funded medicine prescriptions will have additional charges).

    Prescriptions for fully funded medicines are free for people:

    • aged 13 years or under
    • aged 65 years and older
    • of any age that have a community services card (CSC) and their dependent children (14-17 years old).
    • that hold a Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC).
    View the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website for more detailed information on prescription costs.
    Medication for long term conditions

    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.

    Medicines 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.

    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.

    Stop smoking medication

    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.

    UTI – Urinary tract infection treatment

    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.

    Covid-19 testing

    This clinic provides pre-departure testing for people who are travelling. Please call to book an appointment. 03 445 1112

    Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can be collected at this site. Pre-ordering is not required.