Care+ Advice Health Checks

Diagnostic screening can give you a snapshot of your current health and be done at your pharmacy quickly, without an appointment.

Early detection and prevention are key to better long term health, but knowing what health checks to have done and when can be confusing. Your pharmacy can guide you, so you know which tests may be beneficial. Pharmacists are trained to determine your risk factors, perform the health tests, and explain the results for you.

With your approval, we can send your results on to your Doctor so your records will be always up to date.

Blood Glucose Testing

A finger-prick blood test for sugar should be performed as a screening for diabetes, especially important if you are overweight, or have a family history of heart disease.

Blood Pressure Testing

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, sometimes with no symptoms, which will increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. If you get your blood pressure checked regularly as part of your overall health checks in pharmacy, your pharmacist will discuss and explain the results for you.

Bone Density Scanning

Osteoporosis silently steals your strength. It contributes to 80,000 broken bones in New Zealand each year and can instantly affect your quality of life. Osteoporosis is preventable if detected early and a quick painless bone density scan completed at your pharmacy can put your mind at ease.

Contact your local Life or Unichem pharmacy to find out when the next scanning day is scheduled.

Bowel Health Screening

Bowel Cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in New Zealand. The good news is that it can be treated effectively if detected early. Your Pharmacist can discuss the benefits of Bowelscreen Aotearoa™, a clinically proven, accurate, non invasive test that you complete in the privacy of your own home. After following the simple process the test results are made available to you and, with your permission, your Doctor.

Community Pharmacist Anticoagulation Service (if you are on on Warfarin)

Patients on Warfarin will require a blood test to measure their blood clotting rate that can be affected by the use of anticoagulant medication such as Warfarin. Some pharmacists now offer this service by taking a simple finger-prick test. The result and any dosage changes are explained to you while you wait and sent on to your Doctor.

Iron Testing

Iron carries oxygen to our heart and brain, and gives us the energy we need to get on with the day. Being low in iron can leave you feeling tired and fatigued. A simple finger-prick blood test performed in store will give you instant results.

Minor Ailment Treatment

All pharmacists can provide Care + Advice for common health complaints such as thrush, allergies, pain or diarrhoea, if necessary providing appropriate medicines.

There is always a pharmacy close by to help, with many open late hours so you can get that help at a time that is convenient to you. If your problem is more serious, your pharmacist will advise you on the appropriate course of action.

Monitoring your condition at home

Many people choose to monitor their condition at home (diabetes or blood pressure for example). We can show you how to use the machine properly and ensure you know what the results mean. Many pharmacies are able to clean and check your medical equipment to make sure it is running as it should be.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

For Urinary Tract Infections, often referred to as cystitis or bladder infection, make pharmacy your first point of call for advice and treatment options.

Urinary Tract Infections cause women considerable discomfort and pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training are now able to offer effective treatment where appropriate. They will work through a thorough checklist to ensure certain criteria are met before supplying the medicine. The treatment, a three day course of trimethoprim 300mg tablets, is only available to women between the ages of 16 and 65 who are not pregnant and who have not taken a course of antibiotics within the previous six months.

Check the pharmacy locator to find a pharmacy near you providing this convenient service, with no appointment necessary.

Zinc Testing

Zinc is found in every tissue in our body, so even a small deficiency can cause health problems such as decreased immunity and wound healing. A simple taste test will give you an indication of your zinc levels. This taste test is available at most Life, and Unichem pharmacies

Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)

Contraceptive failure or having unprotected sex can be a stressful situation. The risk of pregnancy can be reduced by taking the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), and is most effective the sooner it is taken. Sometimes getting to the Doctor is not always possible or practical. An accredited ECP pharmacist is available in most pharmacies for consultation and provision of the ECP if appropriate.

Flu Vaccination

Influenza is a serious illness and the best protection you can get is an annual flu vaccine. If you currently pay for your vaccine and are 18 or over then you can get your flu vaccine from a trained pharmacist.

We have a number of options for you and one of them is the world's smallest vaccine needle.

Whooping cough vaccine (adults).

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease. Most people are aware of the serious impacts on young babies and children but it is important as an adult to have a booster vaccine to prevent passing the disease on.

In over 70% of cases newborn babies catch whooping cough from parents or other close family members. It is recommended adults have a booster every 10 years. Vaccinating adults can help reduce exposure of young babies to whooping cough and you can now access your vaccine at selected pharmacies.

Meningococcal disease vaccine

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes two very serious illnesses: Meningitis and septicaemia. It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be likened to other illnesses. There are many different groups and strains of meningococcal bacteria and the vaccines available at selected pharmacies protects against strains A, C, Y and W-135.

The vaccine is recommended by the Ministry of Health for young people living in hostels or boarding school, amongst others who are at increased risk. If you are 16 years of age and older you can access a Meningococcal vaccine at selected pharmacies.
Don't assume you're immune, come on in and ask to see your pharmacist who will advise if this vaccine is suitable for you.

Smoking Cessation

Many community pharmacies offer stop smoking services and can provide nicotine replacement therapy alongside advice and support for those wishing to quit. Smoking cessation services involve a consultation with the pharmacist who can create a programme to improve a smoker's chances of giving up.

Weight Management

Healthy eating and healthy action, as part of your daily routine, are the keys to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing obesity. By comparison, fad dieting and stop-start exercise programmes give the worst results in the long term and it is the long-term on which you need to focus for best health results. Your pharmacist has some great weight loss programmes and tools to help you achieve your goals using a step wise approach that is tailored to suit your needs.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

What is a healthy body weight, and at what weight are you considered overweight? You can answer these questions by measuring around your waist, and calculating your BMI. Your BMI figure is your weight (in kilograms) divided by your height (in metres) squared. For example, if you weigh 62 kg and are 1.6m tall, your BMI is 24.2 which is in the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight; above 30 puts you at considerable risk of ill health. Your pharmacist can assist you with the measurement, interpret the outcomes and work with you to put together a healthy eating plan and workout programme.