Countdown supermarkets’ three Tauranga in-store pharmacies in New Zealand are now offering free prescriptions, the NZ Herald has reported.
Free prescriptions are now available at Countdown Fraser Cove, Countdown Bayfair and Countdown The Valley, according to a written statement from Countdown.
The move was expected to save local customers more than $135,000 a year, the statement said.
Countdown head pharmacist Jeremy Armes says making healthcare more affordable and accessible is a key reason Countdown Pharmacy was established and introducing free prescriptions in Tauranga is a logical next step, the newspaper reported.
“We’ve trialled free pharmacy prescriptions in our Auckland stores and the feedback was extremely positive,” he was quoted as saying. “We’re pleased to now be able to extend this offer to more of our Countdown pharmacies, including here in Tauranga.
“Our in-store pharmacist expertise will continue to focus on patient care, while at the same time providing customers with lower prices and free prescriptions for their pharmacy needs.”
Countdown has 30 in-store pharmacies across New Zealand, which were first opened in 2012 to provide customers with convenient pharmacy trading hours and locations, competitively priced products and access to a qualified pharmacist for prescriptions and pharmacy-only medicines, according to the newspaper.
