National Pharmacies Norwood store has assisted more than 25,700 people after hours since opening as South Australia’s first 24/7 community pharmacy 12 months ago.
The store was the first of three community pharmacies to open under a State Government initiative extending operating hours to 24 hours, 7 days per week.
Since its launch on 4 February 2023, the pharmacy has dispensed more than 12,500 prescriptions after hours.
The most in-demand medications include salbutamol inhalers for asthma, antibiotics and pain relief.
Pharmacists have also provided more than 70 after-hours consultations for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Beyond in-store assistance, pharmacists also received an average of 8.5 calls per night — more than 3100 over the past year — with requests for guidance on medication interactions and minor ailments, including bites, rashes, burns and gastroenteritis.
Helping ease hospital demand
Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton highlighted the initiative’s success in easing hospital demand, pointing to customer feedback, which indicates that about “20% of visitors to the state’s three 24-hour pharmacies would have visited an emergency department if the 24/7 pharmacy was not available”.
“It’s fantastic that our first-ever 24-hour pharmacy has helped so many people in the eastern suburbs
receive quick, professional health care when they need it close to home,” says Mr Picton.
“This service provides such convenience and reassurance for South Australians needing health advice or medicines in the middle of the night, while also keeping pressure off our busy hospital emergency
departments.”
‘Greater access to community health care’
National Pharmacies Chief Pharmacist Bec Rogers notes that women and those aged 51-60 have been the lasted after-hours customer groups.
Families, she adds, have also been heavily represented.
“Among those seeking help late at night, or early in the morning, were a new mum recently discharged from hospital with her baby, a parent needing antibiotics for a child’s ear infection, and three flight passengers with missing luggage needing urgent prescriptions filled,” says Ms Rogers.
“National Pharmacies’ key purpose is to provide genuine care for people and we are proud to have assisted more than 25,000 people with essential access to after-hours pharmacy services and advice at a time when they needed it most.
“We are not only serving our customers and members with greater access to community health care but are helping relieve pressure on our state’s health system.”
The success of the initiative has led the government to expand 24/7 pharmacy services to a fourth location.
