Step 1: Our pharmacy receives the prescription
Step 2: Our pharmacist reviews the prescription
Step 3: You receive practical information
Step 4: Your medication is individually prepared
Step 5: Your medication is checked and labelled
Step 6: Our pharmacist provides counselling
FAQs
Step 1: Our pharmacy receives the prescription
A prescription may be sent by your prescriber or provided by you through a legally accepted method. Our pharmacy must be able to verify the prescription and identify the person for whom it was written.
Depending on the prescription and the information already available, we may ask you to confirm details such as:
– Your full name and date of birth
– Your contact and delivery details
– Relevant allergies or sensitivities
– Other information needed to dispense the prescription safely
– Whether you would prefer collection or delivery, where available
Providing accurate information helps our pharmacist complete the required checks and contact you if anything needs clarification.
Step 2: Our pharmacist reviews the prescription
Before preparation begins, our compounding pharmacist assesses the prescription and confirms that it is valid and appropriate to dispense. This may include reviewing the prescribed directions, dosage form, quantity and other relevant information.
Our pharmacist may contact the prescriber if information is missing, unclear or requires confirmation. This is a normal part of professional pharmacy practice and does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your prescription.
If our pharmacy is unable to prepare the prescription appropriately, a member of our team will be in touch to explain the next step. This may involve discussing the matter with your prescriber or referring you to another suitable service.
Step 3: You receive practical information
Because an individual medication is not ordinarily taken from standard commercial stock, preparation may require additional time. Our pharmacy will give you the expected timeframe before proceeding whenever possible.
You may also be given information about:
– The quoted price and payment process
– Collection or delivery arrangements
– Any information still required from you
– When the pharmacy expects the prescription to be ready
Timeframes can vary according to the prescription, the preparation process and whether clarification is required from your prescriber. If you need the medication by a particular date, tell our pharmacy as early as possible. A requested date cannot always be guaranteed.
Step 4: Your medication is individually prepared
Once your prescription has been reviewed and accepted, trained pharmacy staff prepare the medication in accordance with applicable professional and legal requirements.
The preparation process includes documented procedures and checks appropriate to the medication being made. A compounded medication is not prepared in advance for general public demand; it is prepared following receipt of the required prescription or lawful patient-specific request.
Step 5: Your medication is checked and labelled
Before supply, our pharmacist rechecks the compounding and formulation, then labels the medication with patient-specific information. Your label provides important directions, including how the medication is to be used and any applicable storage or cautionary instructions.
Read the label carefully when you receive the medication. Do not use another person’s medication, even if it appears similar to yours, and do not change the way you use it unless your prescriber or pharmacist advises you to do so.
Step 6: Our pharmacist provides counselling
Pharmacist counselling is part of our safe supply procedures. Depending on your prescription, the pharmacist may discuss:
– How and when to use the medicine
– How to measure or apply the prescribed amount
– Storage and handling requirements
– The beyond-use or expiry information shown on the label
– What to do if you miss a dose or application
– When to seek advice from your prescriber or pharmacist
Ask questions if any instruction is unclear. Written information is helpful, but it does not replace advice about your individual prescription.
FAQs
Can the pharmacy prepare my medication before receiving my prescription?
No, for prescription medication, the pharmacy must first receive and verify a valid prescription. Community pharmacies can not prepare compounded medicines in advance simply in anticipation of public demand.
Why might the pharmacist contact my doctor?
Our pharmacist may need to clarify a direction, confirm information or discuss whether the prescription can be appropriately prepared. Communication between pharmacists and prescribers is a routine safeguard.
Can someone else use my compounded medicine?
No. It has been prepared and labelled for the identified patient. It should not be shared with another person.
Should I order a repeat early?
Yes, allow enough time for the pharmacy to receive and review the repeat prescription and prepare the medicine. Ask the pharmacy about its current timeframe rather than assuming it will be the same for every order.
What do I do if I have a question about a prescription sent to My Skin Pharmacy?
If your prescriber has already sent us a prescription, contact My Skin Pharmacy and our pharmacy team can explain its status, the dispensing process and any information we still require. We cannot determine whether a particular prescription medication is appropriate for you through a general website enquiry; treatment decisions should be discussed with your prescriber.
General information only:
This article describes our pharmacy process and is not medical advice. Always follow the directions provided by your prescriber and on your dispensing label.
What would you like to do next?
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