An east Auckland pharmacist wishes to spread awareness for the support available for those suffering from Covid-19.
Vicky Chan, centre manager of Pakuranga Unichem, told the Times that there might be people out there who are unaware of the support available to Covid-19-positive patients.
“One option is you can ring up your GP and get a clinical assessment and see what your prescription needs are,” Chan says.
Another option, under the Whanau HQ scheme, directs positive patients to phone their local pharmacy, discuss what their needs are and delivery of items and medicine to manage Covid-19 symptoms can be arranged free of charge.
Most of the Life and Unichem pharmacies, such as Pakuranga Unichem, are doing that, Chan says.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t know until they call up the pharmacy and say, ‘I’m isolating’. We’ve had so many. They didn’t realise we could cover the cost and deliver and things like that.”
Pakuranga Unichem has arranged delivery for 50 positive Covid-19 cases so far.
GPs can be contacted to check a list of pharmacies that can deliver medicines.
Additionally, positive cases can organise contactless delivery of food and essential items by shopping online or they can contact the Covid-19 Welfare phone line for help with food or other supplies.
For more information call 0800 687 647 or visit https://immunisation.northernregion.health.nz/whanauhq.
