A staged supply service is where we will dispense and supply prescribed medicines in instalments (e.g. daily, every second day, weekly, fortnightly or as otherwise arranged). Staged supply services can be initiated by your doctor, other healthcare professionals, your pharmacist or you or your caregiver. It may help if you:
- have difficulty remembering to take your medicines;
- are taking a medicine which may be misused or over-used and cause harm;
- are taking a medicine where there is a risk of misuse, abuse or diversion; or
are confused about when and how you should be taking your medicines
We will dispense the prescribed quantity of medicines and supply the required doses to you when you come to the pharmacy. The balance of the prescribed quantity will be stored securely in the pharmacy until the next supply is due.
The Fee for this service is:$5 per week
As part of the Fresh Therapeutics Staged Supply Service, you or your caregiver and our pharmacist will be asked to sign an agreement outlining the terms of the service, including:
- how you will need to collect the medicine (e.g.which days)
- what medicines will be supplied under the staged supply service and the quantity to be supplied
- the procedure to be followed in the event of a missed or lost dose
- consent for our pharmacist to discuss matters relating to your care with your prescriber and/or other health professionals
- details of how the service will end
- fees for the service
- a system for recording receipt of supply of your medicines
Record of supply
At each supply, you or your caregiver and our pharmacist will be asked to sign a Staged supply record which will list the date, time and number of tablets supplied. In the event of any disputes over supply, this form will be used to confirm whether supply has occurred. Our pharmacist may also record notes about payment arrangements, communication and prescription requests on the Staged supply record.
Collection of Doses by your Caregiver
Medicines must be collected by you unless prior arrangement has been made with the pharmacy. When such arrangements occur,you should phone the pharmacy with the name and address of the person who will be collecting the dose. You should provide your caregiver with a signed, written request, which your caregiver will present to our pharmacist when they collect the dose. Our pharmacist must be able to confirm the identity of the third party.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions:
What happens if I go away on holidays?
You should give your Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy as much notice as possible
so that alternative arrangements can be made. These arrangements could include contacting the doctor so that your medicine can be transferred to another pharmacy or you can be given additional supplies to last the holiday period.
What if I move away?
We will make every effort to support you in making arrangements with a new doctor/pharmacy.
What if I can’t get to the pharmacy?
You should contact your Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy (Blacktown: 9621 2168; Bondi: 93893168; Broadway: 9281 6816) as soon as possible to see whether alternative arrangements can be made.
What if the pharmacy is closed?
It is your responsibility to be aware of the opening hours of your Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy on the days you are due to collect your medicines.
What if I want to stop the service?
You should contact your Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy (Blacktown: 9621 2168; Bondi: 93893168; Broadway: 9281 6816) to let them know you want to stop the service so you can discuss the options with the pharmacist.
Why do I need to sign a form?
The form is an agreement between you and the pharmacist and outlines all the terms of the service so there is no confusion. You will be given a copy of the form to refer back to.
Prescriber questions:
How do I initiate the service?
Please notify your Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy in writing.(Blacktown Fax: 96727166; Bondi Fax: 9389 5166; roadway Fax: 9281 6862)
What information will the pharmacy need from me?
Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy will need patient details, medicine details, dosing schedules and prescriptions.
In what circumstances will the patient be referred back to me?
The patient will be referred back to you if they regularly miss their doses, there are issues related to their safety, there is conflict, their circumstances change, or they require a new prescription.
Will I be notified if my patients are accessing this service?
Yes, unless otherwise agreed with the patient.
What happens if the patient fails to pick up their medicines?
Our pharmacist may contact you.
What are the arrangements for organising new prescriptions?
It is the patient’s responsibility to organise new prescriptions; our pharmacist will work with the patient to help them to remember when a new prescription is needed.
What happens if I change the patient’s medicine?
Please notify Fresh Therapeutics Pharmacy (Blacktown Fax: 96727166; Bondi Fax: 9389 5166; roadway Fax: 9281 6862 or Post indicating which pharmacy to: PO Box 168 Broadway 2007) in writing of any changes as soon as possible.