Pharmacy Department
Our pharmacy department provides a full service to all the patients of Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital outpatient clinics and wards.
What this service does
The pharmacy is located in the Centre Block opposite the Emergency Department. We provide a full service to the patients admitted on the wards. For example, a review of medicines and making sure they are safe. We also supply medications to patients that attend the Outpatients Clinics.
Pharmacy Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
What happens when you bring your prescription to the pharmacy?
The pharmacy can dispense prescriptions written in the hospital’s clinics by our doctors.
When you come to the pharmacy with you prescription we will need to:
- Confirm your details (name, date of birth)
- Check your allergies
- Ask you some more questions about other medicines you may be taking
- Check your Medicare Card
- Check your concession card / pension card (if you have one)
- Send you to the cashier to pay for your medicine
Prescription Charges
You will need to pay for the medicines we supply to you. The cost depends on if you have a Medicare and a concession or pension card. This cost changes every year.
You will be given a receipt to take to the cashier with your payment. Once you have paid you can return to the pharmacy to collect your medicines.
Please note that we are not always able to give you the repeats on your prescription. The pharmacist will explain this to you when they hand you your medicine.
Patient Information
We do our best to make sure the medicine you receive is correct and safe for you. We will also help you understand how to use eye drops and eye ointments or other medicines. We can also give you written advice on your medicines.
Please make sure you ask for more information if you need it.
What to expect from the pharmacist when you are in hospital
The pharmacist helps all patients that come to the hospital with their medicines. They work with nurses, doctors and other staff, to make sure all medicines are used safely in the hospital.
The pharmacist will come and see you on the ward. They will ask you about the medicines you take at home. They will make sure all the medicines you take at home are written down for the doctors and nurses.
The pharmacist will supply the medicines you need while in hospital. You may get new medicines when you are in hospital. The pharmacist will give you advice on any new or changed medicine.
The pharmacist will ask you about allergies and side effects to medications. They will look at the list of medicines you are having every day and make sure these are helping you.
The pharmacist may work with your family doctor and your regular pharmacy. They can inform them of any changes to your medicines.
If you have any questions on your medicines please ask to speak to the pharmacist. You can tell the nurse that you would like to speak to them.
Taking medicines when you are in the hospital
You will be given the hospital’s medicines during your stay.
Do not take any of your own medicines while you are in hospital. The nurse will store your medicines in a safe place. They will be given back to you when you go home.
Your nurse will prepare and give you your medicines when you are in hospital. If you think that the medicine the nurse is giving you looks different to what you usually take, talk to the nurse before taking it.
Do not forget to ask for your medicines before you go home.
Going home from hospital
Before you go home, the pharmacist will explain how to take your medicines. The pharmacist will:
• Answer any questions you may have about your medicines
• Give you advice on how they work and any side effects
• Give you written advice about the new medicine if you need it
• Sometimes they may need contact your local pharmacist and family doctor before you go home
Usually, only new medicines that were started in hospital will be supplied when you go home. Up to 5 days’ supply is given. You will need to see your family doctor to get prescriptions for more supply.
It is very important that you know what new medicines have been started, what medicines have been stopped or any changes to your treatment.
What medicines should I bring to hospital?
Bring all of your medicines with you. This includes prescription medicines and those you have bought without a prescription (includes herbal and alternative medicines).
Will I be charged for medications?
There is no charge for medicines used when you are an inpatient and have a Medicare card. There is no charge if you are from a country with a health care agreement with Australia.
If you present to the pharmacy with a prescription from the outpatient clinic you will be charged for the medicine. The pharmacy staff will let you know what those charges are.
What do I need to bring with me?
- Medicare card
- Concession or pension card (if you have one)
- All the medicines you are taking at home. Please bring the original boxes