FAQs

The $5 co-payment was removed on 1st of July 2023, so most items are now FREE.

This tax still applies to dentist prescriptions and specialist prescriptions and can be $15 if the customer does not have a Community Services Card. (see www.workandincome.govt.nz ).

The price of prescription medicines depends on if there is government funding for the item.  If it is a funded medicine, you may pay a co-payment (or prescription tax) towards the cost.  Children under the age of 14 do not pay a co-payment towards the cost of funded medicines so they are generally free unless there is only partial funding then there may be a small charge. 

Unfunded medicines are charged at a competitive price. 

Once a family (2 adults and any dependent children under the age of 18) or individual person living on their own or in a care facility has paid the prescription tax for 20 funded prescription items between 1st February and 31st of January of following year then they become exempt from paying the $5 co-payment.  Every pharmacy can obtain the prescription count for a customer at any time to see if they are close to or have reached their 20 items. (Free prescriptions from hospital and GP prescribers came into effect on 1st July 2023.)

Generally, a prescription is valid for government funding for 3 months after the date it was written by the prescriber (unless a triplicate or barcoded controlled drug prescription-only valid for 7 days).  The prescription can still be dispensed after the 3-month date and up to 6 months after writing but will not be funded (the customer will pay the full cost of the medicine).

When the label on your medicine says that there is a “repeat” or “repeats” it means that a further supply is available from that pharmacy up until the date stated on the label.  Some medicines need to be dispensed more frequently than every 3 months so “repeats” are put on this particular prescription so the customer can return for a further supply without presenting another prescription. You must return to the pharmacy where the original prescription was presented to get the “repeat”.

Yes. Vivian Pharmacy offers a daily delivery service and we will deliver to your area free once a week.  If you require an urgent delivery away from the day that is your “free” day then a $5 delivery charge may apply.  Contact us on deliver@vivianpharmacy.co.nz to organise a delivery.

 All medicines can have side effects.  When you pick up your medicine our staff will endeavour to inform you of any side effects that you could expect. Some effects are common such as nausea or tummy upset or can be less common such as a rash or headache. Written information is available for you to take away and read. Please ask one of our pharmacists if you require a more in-depth discussion on side effects or expected outcomes from your medicines.  We have a private consulting area available if required.

Please contact us on 06 7588263 or dispensary@vivianpharmacy.co.nz to discuss.  Most of the time one missed dose will not be a major problem but if medicines are not taken regularly as they are prescribed then the outcomes can be less than expected.  Never take double the medication dose to “catch up” for missed doses.  Always contact us for the appropriate action. 

If you are away and forget your medicine, or you run out of your medicine, our pharmacist may be able to provide you with a 72-hour emergency supply. Please provide evidence to the pharmacist that you are currently being treated with the medicine. Certain medicines, like Controlled Drugs, cannot be supplied in this way.

If you require medicine on emergency supply, there will be a cost involved which will depend on how expensive your medicine is. If you have been prescribed medicine, it is very important that you are taking it correctly. So, if you are caught short during the holiday period, your regular pharmacy is closed or your doctor has not sent through the prescription in time, speak with our pharmacy team to see how we can help.

Taking medications at the correct times can be difficult if you have a few different tablets or capsules to remember.  Our Medicine Sachet System is designed to take the hassle out of remembering and put all of your medicines in an easy to use system.  Contact our sachet team on 06 7588263 (press option 2) or email us on sachet@vivianpharmacy.co.nz to find out more. The sachet link on the website also gives you more information on this service and the costs involved. We offer a month trial free of charge if you are interested.