Pharmacy

The Pharmacy Department is an important part of your healthcare team.

Our services

We provide services that help the safe and effective use of medicines for all patients at Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS).

Before you arrive

It is important to have up-to-date information on all the medicines you are taking.

This includes medicines on prescription, from health food shops, supermarkets, and over the counter from pharmacies. This may be:

• tablets, capsules, and liquids
• patches, creams, and ointments
• drops and sprays for eyes, nose, ears, and mouth
• inhalers and puffers
• injections or implants
• pessaries or suppositories
• alternative medicines (herbs and vitamins).

A pharmacist may contact you before your hospital visit to talk to you about your medicines.

Bring any medicines you are taking including non-prescription or herbal medicines, and a list of medicines, if you have one, when you come to hospital. Keeping photos of your medicines on your phone is useful.

Your medicines may be used during your stay, or our staff will store your medicines in a safe place and return them before you leave.

STARS do not allow the use of medicinal cannabis administered via inhalation.

STARS do not allow the use of any illegal substances during your stay.

During your stay

Our aim is to keep you safe and give you the best treatment and care.

Our pharmacists will:

• Ask you about what medicines you normally take. This is called a medication history.
• Check allergies.
• Regularly review your medicines.
• Supply medicines needed during your stay.
• Give information on what your medicines are for, when and how much to take, and possible side effects.
• Help with medicines storage.
• Discuss ways to manage your medicines.

STARS Pharmacy encourages you to be active in your medicines management and ask questions about your medicines.

Key questions you can use to help your understanding are available at WHO 5 Moments for Medication Safety.

When you leave

Our pharmacist will:

• Talk to you about new medicines, any changes, what your medicines are for, when and how much to take, and possible side effects.
• Give you a list of medicines and/or written information on taking medicines.
• Check you have or can access sufficient supply of your medicines.
• Return your own medicines.

Please ask your hospital or community pharmacy to dispose of any ceased, unwanted, or out of date medicines.

Do I have to pay for medicines?

There is no charge for medicines that you receive while staying in hospital.

You will be charged in the same way as prescriptions dispensed at a community pharmacy for supplies received on prescription on discharge or as an outpatient. Please inform pharmacy staff if you have any concessions cards.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people receive discharge medicines at no charge through the Better Together Medication Access (BTMA) program. Please let pharmacy staff know if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.