Pharmacy

Our Pharmacy Department is an important part of our healthcare team dedicated to your care and treatment. All pharmacy staff deliver services promoting the safe and effective use of medicines.

Our services

We provide medication to inpatients, outpatients and day admitted patients at facilities located across the hospital and off-site such as the Halwyn Centre, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit and the Valley Mental Health Service.

Our specialty and satellite pharmacy locations at the hospital include:

• Main RBWH Pharmacy is located on level 1, Ned Hanlon Building (hospital prescription required)
• Mental Health Centre, Fig Tree Drive
• Cancer Care Services, Joyce Tweddell Building
• Women’s and Newborn Services, Ned Hanlon Building
• Levels 6 and 9 of the Ned Hanlon Building

Medication management

For your safety, we ask that you keep us up-to-date about all the medications you are taking, why and how often.

This includes medications available from health food shops, supermarkets and over the counter in pharmacies such as:

• tablets, capsules or liquids, patches, creams and ointments
• drops and sprays for eyes, nose, ears and mouth
• inhalers and puffers
• injections or implants
• pessaries or suppositories
• alternative medicines (herbs and vitamins).

We focus on promoting the safe and effective use of medication through:

• medication histories on admission to hospital with a complete and accurate record of current and recently ceased medications
• inpatient medication chart review
• involvement in consultant ward rounds and outpatient clinics
• medication counselling to patients both as inpatients and on discharge
• delivery of drug information to medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals
• therapeutic drug monitoring service
• training and ongoing education of staff and undergraduate/postgraduate students.

Our Medicines Advisory Committee (RBWH MAC) was established as an expert committee of the RBWH Safety and Quality Unit to encourage the appropriate, equitable, safe and cost-effective use of medicines at the hospital.

Medication before you arrive

When you come to hospital, please bring any medications you are currently taking including non-prescription or herbal medicines and a list of medications, if you have one.

During your stay, if you need to use your own medications, our staff will store your medications in a safe place and return them before you leave.

Medication during your stay

Our priority is to keep you safe and provide you with the best treatment and care.

This means we need to know about all medications you are currently taking and if you have any allergies.

Our pharmacists will:

• establish an accurate medication history on admission
• work with the healthcare team to select the most appropriate medication for your care
• offer medication advice to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals within the hospital
• dispense medicines for you
• explain the purpose, dose, how to use/take your medication and possible side effects
• develop a plan for the use of your medication and when to contact your doctor.

Do I have to pay for medications?

You will not be charged for medications that you receive while staying in hospital.

The doctor may write you a prescription before you leave hospital. You can use this prescription at the hospital pharmacy, which will have the same Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment as pharmacies in the community.

Medication when you leave

Our pharmacist will talk to you about the medications you take home.

This includes highlighting any new medications started in hospital, or any changes, why you are taking the medication, the dosage and duration, how and when to take the medication and possible side effects.

A list of your medications will be given to you and extra copies will be provided to your GP and community pharmacist.