MORE than 40 South Australians sought help from the state's first 24-hour pharmacy on its opening night, providing them timely access to medications and health advice and taking pressure off busy emergency departments.
The first shift of 24/7 trade at National Pharmacies Norwood saw 45 customers visit between 10pm to 8am, from as far as Brighton and West Lakes, reported Mirage News.
There were 27 prescriptions dispensed and many parents seeking pain relief and treatment for infant colic, as well as scripts dispensed for infections such as uncomplicated UTIs.
SA's Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton said, "it's fantastic to see such a successful first night of trade at our first 24-hour pharmacy, helping so many South Australians".
"The fact that 45 people from around Adelaide could access medication and health advice overnight without having to go to an emergency department shows just how this service is needed."
Families can now be assured, he added that this pharmacy is never closing, "it will be there for them any day, any time to help with medications, prescriptions and pharmacy advice".
National Pharmacies CEO Vito Borrello revealed, "our first night of 24/7 trade has gone smoothly with our pharmacist reporting that health advice and medication was sought from patients across central Adelaide and as far south as Brighton and as far west as West Lakes".
"Parents needing pain relief and treatments for infant colic, as well as prescriptions for infections such as UTIs are just a couple of examples of the service we have been able to provide so far."
National Pharmacies in Norwood, servicing central Adelaide, on Mon began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under a new state govt initiative (PD 05 Feb).
It's the first of three community pharmacies being supported by the Malinauskas Labor Government to extend operating hours around the clock, every day of the year.
The other two are Chemist Warehouse stores at the Saints Shopping Centre in Salisbury Plain and Clovelly Park that will begin operating 24/7 in coming weeks.
All three pharmacies were chosen after a competitive tender process.
SA will also expand scope for trained pharmacists to include treatment for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) starting from Mar. JG
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