Pharmacy Services at RBWH

Our Pharmacy team is here to support your care and treatment. We work with your healthcare team to make sure your medicines are safe and effective for you.

Where can I get my medicines?

We provide medicines for patients staying in hospital, attending outpatient clinics, or having day procedures. You can collect your hospital-prescribed medicines from one of our pharmacies at Herston Campus:

• Main RBWH Pharmacy – Level 1, Ned Hanlon Building
• Mental Health Pharmacy – E Floor, Mental Health Centre, Fig Tree Drive
• Cancer Care Pharmacy – Level 4, Joyce Tweddell Building

Please note: We can only dispense prescriptions written by hospital doctors. We cannot fill prescriptions from your GP or private specialist.

What should I tell the pharmacy team?

To keep you safe, please let us know about all the medicines you take, including:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter products (e.g. pain relief, cold and flu tablets)
• Herbal remedies and vitamins
• Creams, patches, sprays, puffers, drops, injections, implants

What do pharmacists do during my hospital stay?

Our pharmacists and pharmacy assistants:

• Review your medication chart
• Join ward rounds and clinics
• Talk to you about your medicines
• Help plan your medicines for when you leave hospital
• Share information with your GP and community pharmacy
• Monitor medicine levels and provide advice to your care team

Medication Safety

We take medication safety seriously. Our Medicines Committee works to make sure medicines are used safely, appropriately, and cost-effectively across the hospital.

This work supports Standard 4: Medication Safety from the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

You can learn more by visiting the NSQHS Standards consumer fact sheets.

Before You Come to Hospital

Please bring:

• All the medicines you are currently taking
• Any herbal or non-prescription products
• A list of your medicines, if you have one

This helps us understand your current treatment and keep you safe.

Also refer to “Your medicines in hospital” – Staying in hospital | Queensland Health

While You’re in Hospital

We will store your medicines safely and give them to you if needed.

To provide the best care, we need to know:

• What medicines you take
• How often you take them
• If you have any allergies

Our pharmacists will:

• Review your medicines when you arrive
• Work with your care team to choose the best treatment
• Give advice to doctors, nurses, and other staff
• Dispense your medicines
• Explain how to take them and what side effects to watch for
• Respect your medication choices and work with you to understand your preferences and provide options that support your health goals
• Help plan your medicine use after you leave hospital

What happens when I leave hospital?

Before you go home, we’ll:

• Give you a list of your medicines
• Explain any changes or new medicines
• Provide extra copies for your GP and community pharmacy
• Answer any questions you have

Do I have to pay for medicines while in Hospital?

• You won’t be charged for medicines that you are given while in hospital.

Do I have to pay for medicines when leaving hospital or attending outpatient clinics?

• You may need to pay. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ll pay the same amount as you would at a community pharmacy under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• First Nations patients are supported through Closing The Gap and Better Together Medicines Access programs.