Wallerawang Pharmacy

22/06/2023

Apologies for any inconvenience!

23/04/2023

‼️Please support your Local Pharmacy ‼️

The Labour Government’s proposed 60-day dispensing policy and recent media coverage regarding the implementation of 60-day dispensing in pharmacies, may seem like a positive step in theory. However, it's important to note the situation is far from straightforward.

As a pharmacist who prioritizes the well-being of my patients, this policy to implement 60-day dispensing may appear to be a convenient option for patients, but upon closer examination, it presents numerous drawbacks as outlined below:

1. There will be reduced patient-pharmacist interactions which result in inadequate support, education, and medication adherence monitoring.

2. Medication shortages: There are currently more than 450 active or anticipated medicine shortages in Australia. They are for treating high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health conditions and so many more. Doubling the amount of medicines, a person can access at one time means some people will have multiple months of medicine hoarded at home unused while others miss out.

3. The risk of accidental overdose, misuse, or diversion may increase due to larger medication supplies, which may lead to hospitalization and other significant costs. While the government is decreasing the amount of Paracetamol tablets and other painkillers you could buy over the counter to 30 pack to reduce the risk of accidental or intentional overdosage, yet they are increasing the supply of potent prescription medications to 60 days.

4. The policy will also create financial strain on pharmacies, as pharmacies face reduced cash flow and increased inventory costs, this could lead to reduced Pharmacy trading hours, staff hours, Pharmacy services and access to your Pharmacy which in turn could cause increased presentation to hospital emergency departments for basic health needs.

5. For non-concessional patients, the cost of buying 60-day supply would be double or more. The cost of over-the-counter medications (like anti histamines, pain medications) will be increased.

6. The policy exacerbates the issue of medication wastage by increasing the quantity of medications dispensed at once, resulting in unused medications due to prescription changes, adverse effects, or errors. This not only has negative implications for the environment but also for patients' wallets.

It is crucial to carefully consider the broader implications of the proposed 60-day dispensing policy. I urge political representatives to engage with the industry in open dialogue to ensure that any changes in the healthcare sector truly benefit patients and the communities they serve.













Please support your local community pharmacies and contact your Labor senators listed below to STOP the policy being implemented:

Tim Ayres: (02) 9159 9330
Jenny McAllister: (02) 9719 8100
Deborah O'Neill: (02) 4367 4565
Tony Sheldon: (02) 9719 1078

10/04/2023

We wish you and your family a very happy Easter break here at Advantage Pharmacy.

We hope you have a lovely time filled with joy, love, and relaxation. 🐰❤️

16/03/2023

Thank you Three Tree Lodge for your recent post.
Your message really resonated with me and was inspiring.
It's always great to see people and organisations sharing positive messages and uplifting content.
Your post was a reminder to Pharmacists like me that even small acts of kindness and positivity can make a big difference in the world.
Once again, thank you for sharing your message with the world. Definitely these kind words make a difference in our professional life.

THANK YOUR PHARMACIST DAY 2023
Did you know that today, Thursday 16 March, is National Thank your Pharmacist Day?

Pharmacies are the first point of call for many people seeking health advice or care. But our local pharmacies are much more than this, they also play a vital role in our local communities.

Local Pharmacies are the corner stones of our community, providing not just medical advice and services, but community information, health education, advice and resources.

We are extremely lucky in the greater Lithgow area to be served by a great range of pharmacies. In particular we thank Aditya Kunduru at Wallerawang Pharmacy who provides in house services and support to all our residents and their families here at Three Tree Lodge. Adi has participated in meetings with our residents to address issues of concern and has provided invaluable support for our resident, family and staff vaccination programs.

Today on this , we send a big shout of thanks to all the pharmacists and pharmacy workers who've been part of the front line in our community.

They did a lot of the heavy lifting to help get us through the COVID pandemic and delivered nearly 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses nationwide.

So thanks to all the Pharmacists out there – you are truly indispensable.😄
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

16/01/2023

Vitamin A plays an essential role in maintaining vision, body growth, immune function and reproductive health.

Including adequate amounts of vitamin A in your diet prevents the symptoms of deficiency such as hair loss, skin problems, dry eyes, night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 900 mcg for men, 700 mcg for women and 300–600 mcg for children and adolescents.*

Some foods that are high in vitamin A are:
👉 Goat cheese
👉 Salmon
👉 Butter
👉 Bluefin tuna

To find out more about the benefits of vitamin A and how you can increase it in your diet, visit: *https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-vitamin-a

30/12/2022

2022 is coming to an end and we wanted to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year.

Your health is our priority, and we are here to assist you with your health goals for 2023. Our Pharmacies offer a range of services to help you keep healthy and feeling good. From healthy diet and exercise advice, to ensuring you are taking your medications correctly, our team are here to help you reach your goals!

Come into your local Advantage Pharmacy today and chat with our friendly Pharmacists. 💙

21/12/2022

24/10/2022

12/09/2022

Nearly 1 in 2 Australians (49%) believe they’d be more confident starting an R U OK? conversation if they knew the signs that could indicate someone is struggling with life.* To learn the signs of how to ask someone if they are okay, how to listen, and what to do if the answer is no, visit www.ruok.org.au

Our Pharmacy is committed to making it easier to talk about mental wellbeing. We may not have all the answers, but we do know that help is available. Don't be afraid to come in and talk to us today!

*https://www.ruok.org.au/r-u-ok-calls-on-adelaide-to-trust-the-signs

30/06/2022

Book your COVID-19 Vaccination at Advantage Pharmacy

30/05/2022

A free flu jab will be available to all NSW residents in a month-long blitz from June 1 in an effort to combat this year’s expected severe influenza season.

With a sharp increase in flu cases already, the NSW Government will fund flu vaccinations at GPs and pharmacies until June 30.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said there were 1,140 cases of respiratory illness notified this week, compared with 766 in the previous week and 150 presentations and admissions to hospitals.

“We strongly urge everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones, as the virus is easily spread and potentially deadly,” Dr Chant said.

“This is particularly important for those in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and children aged six months to five years. If you live in an aged or disability care facility, are aged over 65 or are immunocompromised, now is the time to book in.

“We also recommend a COVID-19 winter booster if you are eligible, as both flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.”

The Commonwealth Government provides vaccines for vulnerable populations, and funds GPs through the MBS to administer vaccines. However, as COVID-19 has taught us, the role of pharmacies is crucial and the NSW Government is funding community pharmacies to deliver influenza vaccinations this June.

NSW Health has also permitted pharmacies to administer flu vaccines to children aged five years old, reduced from 10 years, making it easier for families to be vaccinated together. GPs will be reimbursed for any flu stock they have already purchased that is used in the month of June for this vaccination program.

The Commonwealth Government provides free flu vaccine for those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from the flu, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age
- Children from six months to under five years of age
- People with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease)
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 and over.

Other protective measures individuals can take include staying at home if sick and washing your hands. Find out more about how to protect yourself from the flu at www.nsw.gov.au/flu.

27/05/2022

Have you booked your flu vaccination?

A flu vaccination each year remains the best protection against flu as the effectiveness of a flu vaccine declines over time.

Remember to take preventative measures, such as washing your hands, avoiding sick people, and wearing your mask, especially if you're not vaccinated, in order to protect your health and the health of your family..

You can now book your flu shot online today using the link below or head into one of our participating stores as ​walk-ins are most welcome 😀
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​Book you flu shot online today: https://bit.ly/AdvFluBooking

14/05/2022

Let us handle your scripts so you don't have to! It's no secret that life can be hectic at times, so ask us about our script on file service when you are here next and let us remind you when your repeats are due! This is a FREE service we provide to our local community. It is even possible to call ahead so that we will have your medications ready when you get here! 💙

Come into one of our Advantage Pharmacies today to find out more about this handy service.

11/05/2022

Did you know that adding moisture to dry, cold air can help alleviate symptoms of colds and flu. Now that the weather is cooler and central heaters are being used again, indoor humidity can drop as low as 10% or less. The resulting dry air can irritate the skin, nose and lungs.

Using the Able Ultrasonic Vaporiser will put moisture back into the air, whilst also minimising wet walls and mould. Unlike traditional steam vaporisers, it does not use a heat element, making it a far safer option for the family.

19/04/2022

14/04/2022

Knowing the four steps of asthma first aid is crucial for everyone in the community.

An asthma flare-up or asthma attack requires asthma first aid. An asthma flare-up or asthma attack is characterised by a worsening of asthma symptoms compared to what is experienced every day. An asthma flare-up can come on slowly, over hours, days or even weeks, or very quickly over minutes. A sudden or severe asthma flare-up is sometimes called an asthma attack.*

If you, or someone around you, are experiencing a severe or life-threatening asthma attack, respond by calling an ambulance. Dial Triple Zero (000) and then start asthma first aid. If you are experiencing a mild to moderate asthma attack, start asthma first aid. See our infographic to learn more.

Want to know more? Ask us about our asthma management services in-store! 😊

* https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/asthma-emergency-first-aid -the-four-steps-of-asthma-first-aid

17/03/2022

Each year, more than 150,000 Australians are admitted to hospital with problems associated with their medicines. Our accredited Advantage pharmacists can help reduce this number by offering our customers a Medication Review.

This evaluation of all your medicines with the aim of optimising medicines use and improving health outcomes. Come in and see speak to our Pharmacists today.

02/03/2022

It is very easy for us to take the immune system for granted since it works so well to keep us healthy most of the time!

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning your body can’t produce it. Yet, it has many roles and has been linked to impressive health benefits such as lessening the length of the common cold. Vitamin C is sensitive to heat, so some of its nutritional benefits can be lost during cooking. Raw foods are more beneficial as dietary sources of vitamin C.*

Check out our suggestions for Vitamin C rich foods below:
🧡 1/4 cup raw red or green capsicum
🧡 Grapefruit juice
🧡 Kiwi fruit
🧡 Orange
🧡 1/4 cup cooked broccoli
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​*https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals -c
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