The community pharmacy system in Australia is recognized as world-best and the expertise and knowledge of your pharmacist means healthcare is available to you in a convenient, accessible and affordable manner.
While there are more than 5500 community pharmacies across Australia, many people enjoy the convenience and benefits of having a family pharmacy, one which is their regular pharmacy and where they know the pharmacists, and the pharmacists know them.
Using the same pharmacy means that records of your medicines are readily available and while the introduction eHealth systems means all records will eventually be made readily available to healthcare professionals, many patients prefer to go to their regular pharmacy for their medicines.
It also means that a relationship can be established with the pharmacists and staff who work there.
These staff will be aware of your health needs and the medicines you take and this can be a great advantage in helping you take your medicine properly and also when addressing health issues.
Your community pharmacist is you medicines expert, providing professional advice and counselling on medicines including their use and effects, as well as general healthcare guidance. Having a relationship where they know about your and the medicines you take can help maximise the benefits of your health regime.
In addition, such a relationship can be beneficial in the event of any adverse reactions you may have to a medicine you are taking as your pharmacist will be aware of your health history, allergies and so on and be able to act accordingly.
Your pharmacist is also increasingly becoming involved in the delivery of professional services which are services performed but the pharmacist or pharmacy staff to support your health. These can include weight management, smoking cessation, diabetes management, sleep service, blood pressure monitoring and medicines checks to name just a few.
In addition, they can help with minor wounds and ailments and other issues which might normally require a visit to the GP. But the pharmacist will always refer you to a doctor if the feel it necessary for you to have a doctor examine you or if you need further treatment.
Pharmacists have a professional interest in your welfare and the relationship of having a regular pharmacist means that professionalism is underscored by better knowledge of you, your lifestyle and your health history.
The Woden Valley community pharmacies include
- Capital chemist Curtin
- Capital Chemist Hughes
- Capital Chemist Garran
- Capital Chemist Southlands
- Pharmasave Pharmacy
- Priceline Woden
- Colbee Court Pharmacy
Home Delivery of your medicines
Often the quality of people lives are linked to their capacity to get transport to health service, including to their community pharmacy.
Recognising that not all patients have access to transport to get to their pharmacies, many pharmacies offer home delivery as an additional service for their patients.
This is particularly important for patients who must rely on either assistance from friends or relatives, or from public transport and taxis to attend their pharmacy.
As technology develops, more pharmacies are also offering online ordering services which may be combined with home delivery.
It is important that you ask your community pharmacy if it offers a home delivery service.
As these services require vehicles and staff time, not all pharmacies are able to provide them so you should not assume that it is available as part of the pharmacy’s normal customer service.
If you require home delivery, please contact your pharmacy to discuss as each pharmacy has its own arrangements in place.
All community pharmacies in the Woden Valley offer a home delivery service.