Frequently Asked Questions Ask Your Pharmacist! Why do repeat prescriptions take 15 minutes or more?
Once a repeat is presented for dispensing, there are a set of procedures that need to be followed. This includes recording all relevant details such as name, address, Medicare card number, pension number etc. The patient's history needs to be checked to ensure there are no interactions with other medications or conditions and there are no allergies to any prescribed medications. The dose must be checked to make sure it's safe and appropriate for the patient.
It then must be entered into the computer and all appropriate information added to the patient"s history. If there are any problems, the doctor must be contacted to discuss the situation. The product must then be selected and labeled with all relevant information. Eg refrigerate etc. Some prescriptions also require further paperwork to be completed or extemporaneous preparation which takes longer. The finished prescription should be checked again before handing out. Often, particularly at busy times of the day or year, prescriptions will take longer than ten minutes.
Why do I need to show my Medicare card each time?
As you are probably aware, the government requires us to record your Medicare card number before dispensing a prescription as a pharmaceutical benefit.
This is to make sure that only eligible people receive their medications on the PBS at the subsidised price. We therefore need to check that the number is correct and up to date.
As UFS Dispensaries are such busy pharmacies, the only way we can do this is to see your Medicare card each time you put a repeat in to be dispensed to ensure no one is missed. Ask your Pharmacist for a brochure regarding the presentation of Medicare cards at any UFS Dispensary.
Why are medicines so expensive?
In Australia, we are lucky to have a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme [PBS] which provides medication at such subsidised rates. Most medications cost $31.30 for General Patients or $5.00 for pension and concession card holders. If medications weren't subsidised we could be paying hundred of dollars for each medication in some cases.
There are a small amount of medications which are not on the PBS and therefore not subsidised. You are subsequently required to pay full price for these medications. See below for more information on the PBS.
What can I give my child for constipation?
Constipation in children can be difficult and complex.
Firstly, we must clarify constipation. Constipation is defined as "difficult" or infrequent passage of faeces. This means the stools are hard and difficult to pass or it has been quite some time since last passing stool. It is important to note that not everyone, particularly children pass stools everyday. Some babies, particularly when breastfed only pass stools once a week. This is normal when toilet training, constipation can be a sign of resistance to this and this can be difficult to overcome and may take some time. Patience and positive reinforcement is necessary. Also, re-assessing the child's readiness for toilet training.
If it is not associated with toilet training, several questions need to be asked:
How long since the child has gone to the toilet?
Are they showing signs of wanting to go?
Are they straining?
Are "pebbles" being passed?
Are they in any pain?
How regular are they usually?
Are they on any medication (as some can cause constipation)? Usually, the first step is to increase fluid intake ie. water.
If the child is going every few days and the stools are not hard, then this is OK.
If they are straining and in pain, increase fluid and products containing fibre. Prune juice is also good. If this doesn't help, then we may need to give some medication to help the child achieve softened stools. It is best to try natural measures before using medication. The usual products for children are stool softeners or paraffin containing liquids. Discuss this with your pharmacist. If the child is still constipated or in any pain, consulting your doctor is recommended.
Why is it 20 days before I can get another repeat?
Prescriptions are designed to give you 1 month supply of medication at a time. As doses of medications and medications themselves are often changed to give you the best control or relief of your condition(s), it is not appropriate to have too much stock of your medication at home.
This can be dangerous and lead to the wrong medication or strength being taken.
Even though it can sometimes be convenient to get you prescriptions earlier than 20 days, we are not allowed by law to dispense them any earlier than this. There may however be certain circumstances which enable us to dispense earlier. If there is a reason you need your repeat earlier, discuss this with your Pharmacist.
Is the generic brand exactly the same?
Before a generic medication is placed on the market, it must undergo stringent testing to ensure it is the same quality etc as the original medication.
Pharmacists cannot dispense a generic medication if it is not what's called "flagged" as being proven the same as the medication you have been prescribed. Also, if you doctor does not wish you to have the generic product, they will indicate this on your prescription. If you have any concerns with being dispensed the generic, please discuss this with your doctor and pharmacist.
Why do you have to discard eye drops after 28 days?
Eye drops have preservatives in them to ensure the seated product remains sterile until the expiry date. After opening however, the preservative can only ensure the drops are safe for the eye for a period of 28 days. After this, using the drops can cause serious damage to the eye as bacteria may have been introduced. The ingredients themselves will also not be as effective and could be dangerous. Always record the date eye drops are opened and do not use them after 28 days.
How do I dispose of out of date or unwanted medication?
Simply bring them to your local UFS Dispensary and we will ensure they are disposed of safely.
How do I know if I am allergic to a medication?
Basically, anything you experience which is "different" to normal after beginning a new medication can be an allergic reaction. Skin rashes are the most common allergic reaction. Some reactions can be as severe as to lead to difficulty breathing.
If you experience any symptoms that worry you after beginning new medications or even if you begin to experience something different with an established medication - talk to your doctor immediately.
What's the best product for head lice?
The first thing to understand is that head lice actually prefer clean hair, so having head lice does not mean you are "dirty". Lice look like little insects without wings. They lay their eggs call nits near the base of the hair close to the scalp. The nits look like little grains of sand. They are stuck on the hair shaft. They cause itchiness and can be spread by close contact. It is important to check your children for head lice regularly. They must be treated properly to prevent lice spreading to others.
You only need to use a head lice treatment if you actually have head lice. Using head lice preparations if there are no lice does not prevent head lice. It can irritate the scalp and cause resistance to that preparation. Ask your Pharmacist which is the best head lice treatment for you. Each product is slightly different. There are many products available including some natural ones which are also very effective. Remember to always use the product as per the instructions. In may cases, a second treatment is needed after 7 days. Once a product is used, the nits will still be present and need to be removed with a fine tooth comb. To make it easier to remove the nits, you can put olive oil through the hair or spray a mixture of vinegar and water onto the hair. Then use the fine tooth comb to remove. Using tea-tree oil mixed with water and sprayed onto the hair daily can sometimes prevent head lice. Some people also spray a small amount of hairspray onto the hair each day which makes it harder for the lice to attach themselves to the hair shaft. Make sure you wash all brushes, combs, hair ties, hats etc and hang them outside to dry. It is also a good idea to wash bed linen - then dry outside also. You can also place all hair brushes, combs etc in an airtight bag and leave for a couple of days too. This suffocates any lice present. Note that even after treatment, the head can still be itchy for up to a week. So if there are no lice or nits present, there is no need to worry. Remember to inform the school and parents of any other children your child has been playing with so they can check their hair also.
Do I have to treat my whole family for worms?
Yes, you do. Worms can often be symptomless which means you have them without knowing it. Therefore, if one member of the family has them, it is likely that others may too. Worm the entire family. Talk to your Pharmacist for the most appropriate worming medication for your family.
Why can't I take more than 8 panadol a day?
In fact, you can"t take more than 8 paracetamol containing tablets a day unless prescribed by your doctor. This means you must be careful when mixing pain relevant medications. If the medication contains paracetamol, don't take another that also contains the same ingredient at the same time.
For example, Panadol, Panadeine, Dymadon, Codalgin, UFS Extra Strength, Mersyndol etc all contain paracetamol. You can't take more than 8 in 24 hours of any of these medications. If you are unsure if your pain relieving medication contains paracetamol, check with your Pharmacist. With children - they can only take a maximum of 4 doses of paracetamol a day - so be careful. This is because, anymore than 8 tablets in adults or 4 doses in children can cause permanent damage to the liver. If you are taking regular pain relieving medication talk to your doctor or Pharmacist to see if what you"re taking is the best for your symptoms.
What do I need in a first aid kit?
The following is a guide only as the items in your first aid kit should be determined by where it is being used eg: for home, car, business.
Recommended items:
Antiseptic or swabs
Cotton buds
Band-aids
Tweezers
Insect repellent
Crepe bandage (10cm)
Saline
Splinter probe
Gauze swabs
Dressing strips
Eye bath
Combine pieces
Paper tape
Itch cream
Emergency blanket
Triangular bandage (x2)
Safety pins
Scissors
Melolin or similar non-stick dressing
Eye pads
Disposable gloves
Compression bandage
Hot/ cold pack
Why don't antibiotics help with a cold or flu?
Usually the flu is caused by a virus. Viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics. Only infections caused by bacteria can be treated by antibiotics.
If antibiotics are used when there is no infection, there is no benefit to the patient. This is also why bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics which means they are not as effective anymore.
What eye drops can I or can't I use with contact lenses?
Eye drops contain preservatives and some preservatives aren't compatible with contact lenses. Check with your Pharmacist ideally. When using eye drops, remove contact lenses first and do not replace for a least 15 minutes. Eye drops that are in single dose packs are alright as they do not contain preservatives.
What's the best treatment for hayfever?
Before recommending anything for hayfever, several questions need to be asked.
What are the symptoms? eg is it seasonal, or related to any place?
What have you used before?
Does it matter if the treatment makes you drowsy or would you prefer a non-sedating product?
Would you prefer a nasal spray or eye drop?
Depending on the answers to the above questions, a suitable product or products can be suggested. A "non-sedating antihistamine" is often the first line of treatment. These are generally taken once a day. If the nose is very runny, an antihistamine and decongestant product may be suggested (provided there are no contraindications to use). If the eyes are itchy and red an antihistamine eye drop would be suitable. For seasonal sufferers - a cortisone or antihistamine nasal spray would be worth considering as they can act as preventative medications. This can give great relief for those who are rarely free of symptoms. They can however take a few days to work and can be used before the hayfever season begins. Obviously, every person suffering hayfever is different and it may take some trial and error to find the right medication for you. Our staff are trained to give you the most up to date information and suggestions on hayfever relief.
What is the Limit on PBS cards? [Information on PBS scheme]
1. What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net?
The PBS Safety Net is designed to assist families manage the cost of prescription medication. The Scheme works by tallying the amount you and your dependents spends on PBS medication throughout the year. Once you have reached the threshold the Commonwealth Government then subsidise the cost you're required to pay for PBS medication for the remainder of that year. 2. Does it apply to me?
Families who use a lot of prescription medicines in a calendar year are most likely to benefit from the scheme. You can apply for a Safety Net Concession Card after recording $1141.80* spent on PBS medication this year. This card will entitle the family members to discounted PBS prescriptions ($5.00 plus any brand surcharges) for the remainder of the year.
Concession card holders must accrue a total spent of $290.00* for the year before applying for a Entitlement Card. Generally, this card entitles the holders to free PBS medicines for the rest of the year, however there may be small surcharges on the particular brand your doctor has prescribed. *These figures are adjusted annually. Ask your pharmacist for the entitlement limit each year. 3. What do I have to do?
You must ensure you keep accurate records of your spending on PBS medicines. This includes yourself and all dependent members of your family. If you always use the same dispensary ask the pharmacist to record your spending on their computer. If you visit different dispensaries ask for a Prescription Record Form. You should present this card for the pharmacist to complete whenever you have a PBS prescription filled. The pharmacist will record the price of the lowest priced brand of your medicine and this will contribute to attaining the threshold amount. Note that some brands your doctor may prescribe attract surcharges and these do not contribute to the cumulative total. For more information on the PBS Safety Net speak to your Pharmacist or call the PBS information line on 1800 020 613.
Why is folic acid so important during pregnancy?
Daily oral supplementation with folic acid is important not only during the 1st semester of pregnancy but in the month prior to conception as well. This substantially reduces the likelihood of defects such as spina bifida.
We do get some folic acid in our diet. However, this is usually not enough to give us adequate protection. It is as simple as taking one folic acid tablet per day. This is easily obtained from your local pharmacy. If you are planning a pregnancy - begin taking folic acid straight away. It is better to be taking it before you actually fall pregnant. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor or Pharmacist |
