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What services do pharmacies offer?

Key points about the services pharmacies offer

Apart from dispensing medicines, pharmacies offer a range of services to keep you and your whānau well.
Some pharmacies provide more services than others. If you're unsure about which services your pharmacy provides, give them a call.
This page provides examples of services pharmacies can provide.

Pharmacist holding a prescription talking to male patient Canva 950x690

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Pharmacists are qualified healthcare providers with the clinical know-how to give you the help you need. They can assess your minor illness and recommend the right treatment, whether it’s over-the-counter medicines, a few days rest or a bit of reassurance.

Examples of minor health concerns
Sore throats Coughs, colds and flu Tummy troubles Aches and pains Red eyes, conjunctivitis Thrush Migraine Haemorrhoids	Sleeping problems Athlete’s foot Mouth ulcers Constipation and diarrhoea Earache Allergies First aid and wound care Warts

Most pharmacies can help you with the following:

Emergency contraceptive pill (the morning after pill Postinor).
Oral contraceptive pill (under certain circumstances).
Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation.
Treatment for urinary tract infection.
Weight management.
Erection problems.
Health checks to measure your blood pressure and blood glucose.
Safe disposal of syringe needles.

Some pharmacies may also be able to help you with:

INR monitoring if you are taking warfarin.
Medicine reviews.
Sleep apnoea testing and treatment.
Needle exchange.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, some pharmacies are online so you can buy medicines and contact pharmacists online or over the phone.

If you want a prescription medicine, you'll need to send them a prescription from a New Zealand registered doctor or nurse practitioner. Once this is done, the online pharmacy can send your medicines to you by courier.
Examples of online pharmacies in Aotearoa New Zealand include Zoom Pharmacy, PillDrop Pharmacy, Pharmacy Direct and Net Pharmacy.
Online pharmacies may offer a range of services including treating minor ailments, getting COVID antivirals, medicine packaging (eg, blister packs or sachet packing) and safe disposal of unused or expired medicines.

When using pharmacy services online, it’s important to make sure that you're using a New Zealand pharmacy and not buying from overseas. Medsafe has issues warnings about the dangers of purchasing medicines online from overseas. Learn more about the dangers of purchasing medicines online.(external link)

Remember not to enter pharmacies if you have symptoms, or suspect you've been exposed to COVID-19. If you're unwell we encourage you to wear a face mask when visiting pharmacies.
Your pharmacy can help you with the following: Getting your medicines: If you have problems picking up your medicine from your pharmacy, speak to your pharmacist. Someone else (family/whānau member, friend or carer) may be able to visit the pharmacy to collect your medicines for you, or ask your pharmacy if they can deliver to your home. Managing your COVID symptoms: If you're unwell with COVID symptoms, and require medicines for fever, aches, cough, diarrhoea and runny nose, call your pharmacy. Your pharmacist can recommend medicines that are suitable for you – especially if you're taking medicines to treat other conditions because some medicines shouldn't be taken together. Some pharmacies can supply antiviral medicines without a prescription. Getting your COVID vaccinations: You and your whānau can get COVID vaccinations, including your booster, from your pharmacy. Book your vaccine online(external link) or find a walk–in pharmacy.

Remember not to enter pharmacies if you have symptoms, or suspect you've been exposed to COVID-19. If you're unwell we encourage you to wear a face mask when visiting pharmacies.

Your pharmacy can help you with the following:

Getting your medicines: If you have problems picking up your medicine from your pharmacy, speak to your pharmacist. Someone else (family/whānau member, friend or carer) may be able to visit the pharmacy to collect your medicines for you, or ask your pharmacy if they can deliver to your home.
Managing your COVID symptoms: If you're unwell with COVID symptoms, and require medicines for fever, aches, cough, diarrhoea and runny nose, call your pharmacy. Your pharmacist can recommend medicines that are suitable for you – especially if you're taking medicines to treat other conditions because some medicines shouldn't be taken together. Some pharmacies can supply antiviral medicines without a prescription.
Getting your COVID vaccinations: You and your whānau can get COVID vaccinations, including your booster, from your pharmacy. Book your vaccine online(external link) or find a walk–in pharmacy.

Your pharmacist can show you how to use devices, eg, asthma inhalers, diabetes blood test kits, blood pressure machines and air humidifiers.
Many pharmacies have a range of medical equipment available for hire, including crutches, vaporisers, nebulisers, walkers and even wheelchairs.

New Zealand pharmacists who have completed an approved vaccinator training course can administer a variety of vaccines including the:

COVID-19 vaccine
flu vaccine
HPV (human papillomavirus vaccine)
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine
meningococcal vaccine
shingles vaccine
tetanus vaccine.

A small number of pharmacists who have done extended training can administer any vaccination on the National Immunisaton Schedule(external link), including those for babies.

Always call your pharmacy ahead of time to find out if they offer this service, the cost and whether you need to make an appointment.

Pharmacist going over vaccination consent form with person

Image credit: Healthify He Puna Waiora

Many pharmacies offer a service where your medicines can be packaged into blister packs or rolls of sachets.

This type of packaging can help you to take all the right medicine at the right time.
It can also make it easier to see if you have missed a dose or are running out.
Blister packing is also useful if you're travelling, as it avoids having to take multiple containers.
Your medicines can be supplied weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on your needs.

Image credit: (left) Healthify He Puna Waiora and (right) Zoom pharmacy

If you have leftover medicines, take them to your pharmacy for safe disposal. Don't keep old medicines because you think you may need them in the future. This is one way to avoid you or others (including children) taking them by mistake. Don't throw medicines in the rubbish or flush them down the toilet. This can harm the environment. For more information talk to your local pharmacist.

Read more about returning expired or unused medicines to your pharmacy.

In this video, Healthify He Puna Waiora consumer representative and cultural advisor Merle Samuels shares tips for managing your medicines.