Pharmacy Services
Community Pharmacy is not just meant to dispense medicines, but are now gradually developing into local health societies. They aim towards providing you with more and more medical services. Just go through and understand how your local pharmacy can aid you and your family live a life which is healthier and happier.
Medical Certificate - Absence from Work
According to Fair Work Act 2009, your pharmacist have the authority to provide you with Absence from Work Certificates to people covered by the Act due to medical reasons like
• Absence from illnesses or injuries which is also known as personal leave.
• Absence from work due to illness or injury of employee’s immediate family members or closely related people. This leave is also known as carer’s leave. However they can provide certificates for minor ailments, if you are suffering from any major health concerns, they will refer you to any medical practitioner or other healthcare professional as per your medical requirement. We also do not provide medical certificate for pregnancy and compassionate leaves.
RBC - Anaemia Testing
Anemia is the condition wherein there is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. An anemic person feels very tired easily because the heart has to work harder to pump the required quantity of oxygen in the body because the red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. An anemic person also gets exhausted soon and feel short of breath while doing regular work and any physical exercise. It is not a disease but it occurs due to malfunction in the body. It is more common in females. Researches show that one in five menstruating females and half of pregnant women are anemic. It is very important to get this condition treated to restore normal functioning of the body.
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Breathing Analysis - Asthma Management
Most of the people suffering with asthma do not know how to use the inhaler correctly. This leads to improper management of Asthma. Pharmacists can demonstrate to you the proper use of inhalers and use of other products like spacers and face masks which make the use of inhalers more beneficial and easy. Some medicines may lead to aggravation of asthma and initiate an asthma attack, hence it is important to inform your pharmacist about any medicine you are taking before taking any medication for asthma.
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Diabetes Management - Blood Glucose Testing
Blood Sugar Testing is a test to know the amount of sugar or glucose in the blood. This test helps in the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Diabetic people often perform this test at home by themselves with a finger prick test using a blood glucose monitor. With the help of these tests one can measure the level of sugar in the blood and hence monitor the effects of regular diet, medication, exercise and other illness on diabetes.
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Chemotherapy Preparation
Chemotherapy is a process in which drugs are used to kill rapidly growing cells in the body. This therapy is commonly used for the treatment of cancer. Pharmacists play an important role in preparation for chemotherapy because they provide and supply drugs used in chemotherapy. Cancer is a very fatal disease and life of the patient depends on the success of treatment. Many pharmacists play an important role of supporting and preparing patients for chemotherapy. Researches show that nearly that the leading cause of death is cancer and 17500 more people die of cancer every year. Pharmacists who provide chemotherapy preparation have a specialized preparation area inside a sterile room. A special sterile clothing is provided to people undergoing chemotherapy to assure that the chemotherapy is absolutely clean and safe.
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Bone Density Testing
Bone density testing is a type of testing that helps determine the density of bone and what the strength of the bone is and how easily the bones may break. This testing is helpful for people suffering from osteoporosis, decreased bone density who are likely to be affected by osteoporosis after menopause and those who have had a fracture earlier in their life. This tests helps to diagnose and manage osteoporosis and help take measures before the occurrence of osteoporosis.
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Blood Pressure Monitoring
When your heart pumps the blood, a force is applied on the walls of arteries. The measurement this force is called blood pressure. It is important to measure this blood pressure because an increase in the pressure can put an extra strain on the walls of the arteries. This strain, over a period of time, leads to thickening of walls of the arteries as a result the arteries lose their flexibility and fatty plaques start accumulating in the arteries. This condition can lead to heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and stroke. Hence it is important to monitor your blood pressure so that you can prevent these conditions by taking the necessary remedial actions on time. In-pharmacy blood pressure monitoring and recording can help you keep a close eye on your blood pressure and thus help the occurrence of many fatal conditions that are a result of high blood pressure. By the use of this service the patients can monitor their blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases by themselves. Referral for medical support will also be provided when required.
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Bowel Cancer Screening
Bowel Cancer Screening helps to diagnose bowel cancer at the very initial stages. This test helps for early detection of bowel cancer and hence helps facilitate early treatment that can prove to be most effective. This is one of the most common cancer in Australia. Every week around 286 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer which sums up to more than 15,000 people every year, which is a very alarming number. Though it is the most common cancer, it is also highly curable when detected at early stage. 90% of people detected with bowel cancer are cured. Screening tests are used to detect a disease before the appearance of symptoms. With the help of screening bowel cancer can be detected at an early stage and thus be cured. The sad part is that only 40% of the cases are diagnosed early in spite of easy accessibility through pharmacies. Hence it is very important that you are aware about the symptoms so that you can take remedial actions at your earliest. The symptoms are as follows
• Blood in the stools or bleeding from rectal area.
• Relentless change in bowel habits that cannot be explained.
• Changed appearance and shape of stools.
• Extreme tiredness that cannot be explained.
• Weight loss without any obvious reason.
• Pain in stomach and lump in stomach.
• Anemia that cannot be explained.
COPD Assessment & Management
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease of the lungs and leads to obstruction of airflow through the lungs. This disease is mostly irreversible. The person suffering from this disease experiences shortness of breathand persistent cough that brings up phlegm and mucous. It commonly affects people who have regular smoking habits. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you can ask your pharmacist for a COPD screening test. One out of seven people living in Australia who are above 40 years of age are suffering from COPD and are not aware about it.
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Compounding Services
Compounding Pharmacists are pharmacists who provide medicines to the patients keeping in mind their individual needs. This is known as customizing of medicines. If you are facing problems while taking the medicines as prescribed a compounding pharmacist can come to your rescue. These pharmacists have specialized knowledge and skills to customize your medicines as per your individual needs. Compounded medications are personalized for individual patients, hence each formulation cannot undergo TGA’s drug approval process and hence are not liable to TGA’s approval by legislation. Some medications and formulations can only be achieved by a compounding pharmacist because the medications are manufactured keeping in mind the general needs and not personalized needs which may prove beneficial for some and may lead to development of other problems in some individuals.
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Cholesterol Testing
Cholesterol Testing is a test used to determine the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Monitoring your cholesterol levels can help you lead a life which is healthy and happy and this process becomes easier when you can have it done at your community pharmacist. It is important to get your cholesterol levels measured because high cholesterol levels can lead to heart diseases and stroke. With the help of these tests you can get the breakdown of two main types of cholesterol
• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol, high levels of which can lead to heart disease.
• High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are referred to as “good” cholesterol, which carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to the liver. This cholesterol is then processed out of the body by the liver. Healthy levels of both types of cholesterol are required for optimum functioning of the body.
Compression Garment Supply & Advice
Compression garments are tight-fitting, elastic garments, in the form of a sleeve or stocking. Compression garments are used to treat lymphedema which is swelling caused by accumulation of lymph fluid in tissue and to improve the flow of blood. They are also helpful in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, management of wounds which are a result of diabetes and diabetic ulcers. It is important to choose the right type of compression garment so that it needs the purpose it is designed for. When selected properly, they provide maximum benefits. They are also useful to deal with conditions like varicose veins, venous efficiency, oedema which is a result of travelling and pregnancy, prevention of DVT and tired achy legs.
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Delivery Services
It becomes difficult to visit the pharmacy at times due to sickness, ageing and immobility. Home delivery services offered by community pharmacists prove very beneficial at these times. These pharmacies also prove very beneficial for patients who do not have easy access to transport and are dependent on friends or relatives, or public transport like taxies in order to meet pharmacy needs. Home delivery services by community pharmacists deliver all the medications you require right at your door step so that you do not have to travel and lead an easier, healthier and happier life.
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Diabetes Management
Diabetes is a medical condition in which your body cannot process blood sugar or glucose. Hence the level of sugar increases in the blood. This condition can prove to be very fatal as it can lead to heart diseases and stroke. Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be managed and controlled. Types of diabetes Diabetes is of three types Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes is known as juvenile diabetes. In this the pancreases, which are responsible for production of insulin in the body, do not produce insulin or produced insufficient insulin. Type 2 diabetes: In this type of diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the produced insulin properly. Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy. During pregnancy, if your the blood sugar levels are higher than usual you are said to have gestational diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes When suffering from diabetes you may experience symptoms like
• Thirst and hunger that cannot be controlled.
• Frequent urination
• Rapid weight loss or weight gain.
• Excessive fatigue.
• Irritability.
• Unclear vision.
• Wounds that heal slowly.
• Frequent nausea.
Important things you need to know about diabetes
• It is very important to learn how to manage diabetes
• By proper management you can stop type 2 diabetes, if you are at a risk of developing it.
• It is the responsibility of teachers and employers to ensure safety and provide care to students and staff who are suffering from diabetes.
May it be any type of diabetes, there is support made available to you. Just log on the website of Diabetes Australia and you will get all the information required. Your community pharmacist can help you manage diabetes. If your pharmacist is eligible for a Diabetes MedsCheck which review medicines particularly for diabetes. Your Pharmacist will have an individual consultation with you during a DibetesMedsCheck. You will be advised how to best manage your diabetes, best medicines available for diabetes, weight loss advise, diet plans, how to use equipment like blood sugar monitor. Besides you will be provided with additional medicines to manage diabetes and you will also be offered other diabetes services like access to dieticians, diabetes educators and walking groups.
Diabetes MedsCheck
Diabetes MedsCheck is a facility provided by your pharmacist that can prove to be very beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. This service enables you to have one to one consultation with your pharmacist regarding your diabetes wherein you will be advised how to best manage your diabetes, through better understanding of the medicines, and the effect of these medicines on you. Diabetes MedsCheck can help you best use the medicines, and also reduce the side effects of these medicines that can affect you adversely. It helps you in the self-management of diabetes and aims to help you deal with and manage the problems related to the adverse effects of drugs and also provide education related to diabetesand help you live your life to the fullest in spite of your diabetes.
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Diabetes Screening
Diabetes is a disease which is affecting large number of people every day in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing disease. It is estimated that about one person every five minutes is being affected by diabetes that sums up to 280 people every day, which is an alarming number. If this number is summed up with those who are suffering from pre diabetes, it is estimated
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Home Medicines Review
Many people struggle to take their medicines as prescribed, be this because they take multiple medicines or multiple doses, they are confused by directions on medicines, or they are worried about side effects. Your pharmacist may be able to help you through a Home Medicines Review (HMR) though which will assist you to better manage and understand your medicines.
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Emergency After Hours Service
Australians are spoiled for choice when it comes to after-hours access at community pharmacies. What makes them so accessible is their location and the extended opening hours that a great many pharmacies have. In fact, the vast majority of pharmacies are open after-hours, including on weekends.
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Mental Health Support
Community pharmacies are increasingly playing a major role in helping patients manage mental health issues. In addition, because of their accessibility, community pharmacies may be the first place a person visits to seek help from a healthcare professional in regard to a mental illness.
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Mobility Aids
While generally the health of older people is better than it has ever been, mobility remains an issue as people get older and often they need assistance to remain mobile. Many pharmacies now have specialist areas devoted to mobility aids for the ageing population as well as for people who need aids as a result of accidents, or for other medical reasons.
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Needle and Syringe Service
Many people rely on needles, lancets or syringes to manage medical conditions and maintain their health as well. Your community pharmacy may be part of a needle and syringe program designed to stop the spread of blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis C and HIV.
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Opioid Dependency Treatment
Community pharmacies are at the forefront of helping patients with opioid dependency treatment. Pharmacists and patients involved in Opioid Dependency Treatment (ODT) programs must follow strict protocols and the pharmacist is responsible for complying with all State and Territory regulation that governs the dispensing of the relevant pharmacotherapy in each state.
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TeleHealth Service
The rapid growth of technology and innovation in communication has meant more and more pharmacies are providing telehealth services. This means that through the use of technology, patients are able to get advice on medication management as well as remotely accessing the many other professionals services offered by the pharmacy.
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