Why does waiting for my script take so long?
To ensure that your medicine is legal and an accurate reflection of what the doctor has intended, we need to check the following for each and every script we dispense:

• The script is in date
• Correct doctor and doctor’s contact details
• Patient’s name is correct
• Patient’s contact details are correct
• Medicare number is in date
• Concession card is in date
• Correct medicine is being dispensed
• Strength is correct
• Dose instructions are correct
• Quantity is correct
• Number of repeats is correct
• If it is for a drug of addiction, it must have the doctor’s handwritten drug name, strength and quantity
• Doctors signature
• Cautionary labels attached appropriately
• If it is an authority prescription, we need to check the authority number, streamline code or phone approval number

Can I file my scripts at the pharmacy?
You sure can.  This is a free service we offer to all of our customers, that way when you need your medicine you can just phone to have it filled, and pick it up when it is convenient for you.  All part of the service.

How often can a script be dispensed?
Every 21 days, there are a lot of government rules around not dispensing medicines more often than a patient needs them, we make sure this is ok for you.

Why do some scripts cost more than others?
Some medications are listed on the governments Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  These are medications that the government has deemed are in the public interest to be subsidised by the government in order to be readily available to more Australians.  

If a medication is on the PBS then the government sets its cost to the customer – as both a general rate and a discounted consumable rate.

What is Safety Net and how does it work?
Each calendar year the Australian Government offers Australian citizens (who hold a Medicare card) the opportunity to reach a minimum spend on PBS scripts (in 2018 that was $384.00 for concession card holders or $1521.80 for general patients) and then the cost of future scripts that calendar year will be covered by the government in most cases for concession card holders, and a reduced rate is payable for general patients.  It ensures that the people who need the most medications are not unfairly disadvantaged by having to pay for each their scripts in a year.  Once the minimum spend on the PBS system is reached the patient is said to have reached ‘safety net’. Concession card holders then do not have to pay anything for their scripts that are covered on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the rest of the calendar year.  However, on January 1st each year, the total spend starts counting again from $0.

Scripts not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), or private scripts, will still be payable as normal, as they do not add to the minimum spend above each year.

Creswick Pharmacy will keep track of your total number of scripts in any year, so if you do happen to have a script filled at another pharmacy, remember to tell us about it so that we can add it to your total and you can reach ‘safety net’ sooner.  Just another free service from your local pharmacy.

I have to take a lot of medicines, and I find it confusing, how can the pharmacy help?
This happens to a lot of people, you are not alone.  We can arrange a weekly dose administration aid, known as a Webster-pak which sets out which medications you need to take at the right time of the day i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.  All you need to do is push the blister’s contents through the backing.  Talk to our friendly dispensary staff today to arrange this service for you.  Click here to see our Webster-pak page for more details. 

I want to have a private conversation with a pharmacist, is there a separate room?
Yes, at Creswick Pharmacy we value our customers right to privacy, and provide a private consultation room for any conversation you have with the pharmacist if you would prefer. Just ask our friendly team today.

How does Creswick Pharmacy give back to the local community?
In many ways.  We know we are a place that a lot of our customers enjoy coming into, and we want to make sure that we give back to our local community in many ways.  Some of these ways include:

• Jeff is on the Board of the local Creswick & District Community Bank branch of the Bendigo Bank
• Supporting the local netball club
• Using local businesses wherever we can e.g. post office, newsagent, bakery, bank
• Local medicine information talks for local community groups on request
• Hosting the annual Biggest Morning Tea to fundraise for cancer research, and host an old-fashioned country get together. 
• Christmas ‘Thank You’ Night – in the middle of November each year we host a ‘Thank You’ party for all our wonderful customers, we open late, offer a discount on all gift and jewellery purchases on the night, door prizes throughout the night, champagne, nibbles and some good old-fashioned Christmas cheer!  Come along and join us! 
• Blood Pressure Checks

Who can I talk to if Jeff is not there?
We always have lots of qualified pharmacists in the pharmacy, and if Jeff happens to be away or unavailable, any one of our friendly pharmacists can help you.  Our pharmacists are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours continuous professional education each year, which we do easily.  Part of this process is discovering what is new and available to help our customers, and then bringing that service back to you.