What is Community Dispensing Service?
Community pharmacies are managed by registered pharmacists. In addition to providing reliable and affordable prescription medications to the public (including self-finance items from the Hospital Authority), over-the-counter medications and health supplies, pharmacists also assess the individual needs of the public and provide medication and health advice to help them manage minor ailment, chronic conditions, and medication usage. This enhances self-care capacity and medication safety.
Community dispensing service does not require appointments. Individuals can visit the pharmacy during designated opening hours without prior arrangement, or contact the pharmacy via phone to inquire about service details or confirm medication availability.
What is available at community pharmacy?
Community pharmacy provides a variety of medications and health supplies to meet the needs of different individuals in the community. Pharmacists may also offer professional advice based on individual circumstances:
- Prescription-only medications
- Over-the-counter medications (including medications to be dispensed with or without the supervision of pharmacists)
- Travel medication kits or home medications
- Smoking cessation products
- Nutritional products
- Skin care products
- Wound care and first aid products
- Medical compression stocking
- Medical devices, such as blood pressure monitors and blood glucose meters
- Diagnostic aids
Prescription-only Medications: These are medications used to treat chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Pharmacists prepare medication labels and dispense medications according to doctors’ prescriptions. They also provide medication and health education and answer questions about medication use.
Over-the-counter Medications: These are non-prescription medications used to relieve common symptoms such as common cold or digestive problems. Pharmacists assist individuals in selecting appropriate medications based on their symptoms, medical history, and potential drug interactions.
Travel Medication Kits or Home Medications: These are non-prescription medications kept at home or during travel to relieve mild symptoms such as cold and flu, or digestive problems. Pharmacists recommend appropriate medications and quantities based on age, medical history, drug allergy, travel plans, etc. They also advise on medication use to enhance self-care abilities and medication safety. Moreover, pharmacists provide additional information tailored to individual needs, including medication storage, non-drug therapies, and situations requiring immediate medical attention.
Smoking Cessation Products: These are products used to ease withdrawal symptoms and increase the success rate of quitting, such as nicotine patches and gum. Pharmacists encourage smokers to quit and provide smoking cessation service. They offer personalized advice on smoking cessation products to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Nutritional Products: These products are used to meet the nutritional needs of different individuals and enhance general health, including vitamins, dietary supplements, etc. Pharmacists recommend suitable nutrition products based on individuals’ age, gender, nutritional needs, and eating habits. They also provide health information.
Skincare Products: These products are used for cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin, including cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, etc. Pharmacists assess skin conditions and assist individuals in selecting appropriate skincare products based on age, season, skin problems, etc. They also provide skincare guidance.
Wound Care and First Aid Products: These products are used for general wound disinfection, dressing, etc. Pharmacists assist individuals in selecting the necessary products and provide information on self-management of minor wounds, dressing, and bandaging.
Medical Compression Stockings: These stockings help prevent and improve varicose veins by improving blood circulation in the lower limbs. Pharmacists assess the condition of varicose veins and make measurements for individuals to select appropriate products and sizes. They also provide instruction for wearing compression stockings and self-care information for varicose veins.
Medical Devices and Diagnostic Aids: These devices are used for self-care and monitoring, including blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, inhaler spacers, self-test kits, etc. When selecting medical devices, pharmacists provide recommendations based on individuals’ needs and guidance on how to use the products and interpret the results.
甚麼是社區配藥服務？
社區藥房由註冊藥劑師主理，除了向市民提供可靠和可負擔的處方藥物 (包括醫院管理局的自費藥物) 、非處方藥物 （成藥）及醫療護理用品，藥劑師更會評估市民的個別需要，提供用藥及健康建議，幫助市民掌握應對管理小病小痛、長期病患和用藥的方法，提升自我護理能力和用藥安全。
社區配藥服務毋須預約，市民可於指定開放時間隨時親臨藥房，或致電藥房查詢服務詳情或確認藥物貨存。
社區藥房提供甚麼產品？
社區藥房提供各式各樣的藥物和醫療護理用品，可應付社區不同人士的需求。藥劑師亦會按個別情況提供專業指導：
- 處方藥物
- 非處方藥物 (包括需要或不需要藥劑師監督售賣的藥物)
- 居家平安藥及旅行藥包
- 戒煙產品
- 營養保健品
- 皮膚護理用品
- 傷口護理及急救用品
- 醫療級別壓力襪
- 醫療儀器，如血壓計和血糖機
- 檢測工具
處方藥物：用於治療慢性疾病的藥物，例如降血糖藥、降血壓藥和抗哮喘藥物等。藥劑師會根據醫生處方準備藥物標籤和配發藥物，按個別需要提供用藥及健康指導和建議，並解答用藥問題。
非處方藥物：用於紓緩常見的症狀的成藥，例如感冒藥、腸胃藥等。藥劑師會根據症狀、疾病史和潛在的藥物相互作用等，協助市民選擇合適的藥物。
居家平安藥或旅行藥包：在家中或旅途中備用的非處方藥物，需要時用於紓緩輕微症狀，例如傷風感冒、腸胃不適等。藥劑師會根據年齡、疾病史、藥物敏感、行程等，建議合適的藥物和數量，並提供用藥指導，提升自我護理能力和用藥安全。同時，藥劑師會按個別情況提供其他資訊，包括藥物儲存方式、非藥物療法及需要儘快求醫的情況。
戒煙產品：用於紓緩退癮徵狀，以提升戒煙成功的機會，例如含尼古丁的戒煙貼、戒煙香口膠等。藥劑師鼓勵吸煙人士戒煙，並提供戒煙支援，按個別需要提供戒煙產品建議，紓緩退癮症狀。
營養產品：用於滿足不同人士的營養需求和提升健康狀況，包括維他命、營養補充品等，藥劑師根據年齡、性別、營養需求、飲食習慣，建議合適的營養產品，並提供健康資訊。
皮膚護理產品：用於清潔、滋潤、保護皮膚的產品，包括潔膚露、潤膚膏、防曬產品等。藥劑師評估皮膚情況，根據年齡、季節、皮膚問題等，協助市民選擇合適的皮膚護理產品，並提供皮膚護理建議。
傷口護理及急救用品：用於普通傷口消毒、包紮等的產品。藥劑師協助市民選擇所需的產品，並提供自行處理輕微外傷、敷藥和包紥的相關資訊。
醫療級別壓力襪：通過改善下肢靜脈血液回流來預防和改善靜脈曲張。藥劑師評估靜脈曲張的情況，並為市民量度尺寸，以選擇合適的產品和尺碼。同時，藥劑師會提供正確穿著壓力襪的方法及靜脈曲張自我護理的資訊。
醫療儀器：用於自我護理和監測，包括血壓計、血糖機、儲霧器、自我檢測試劑等。選擇醫療儀器時，藥劑師根據市民的需要提供建議，並協助市民掌握產品的使用方法和解讀結果。
