[marybelle]

Does anyone know if you can buy a pre-paid prescription card in NZ like you can in the UK?

Thanks
Marybelle

[Georgebulldog]

Yes you can, I'll have a look for you but someone may help in the meantime

[Georgebulldog]

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12667&highlight=prescriptions

Hopefully all the info you need here

[Questor]

That's not actually true, there is no facility for pre-paid prescriptions here.
That's mostly because there is no standard charge for prescriptions, as not everything is fully subsidised.

The High Use Health Card is given via the doctors if you have more than 12 visits to the doctor in a year, this makes SOME prescriptions cheaper until the expiry of the card.
There is also another card given via the pharmacy called the Prescription Subsidy Card. This is given once the family has had more than 20 SUBSIDISED items from the 1st Feb to the 31st Jan. This again makes SOME prescriptions cheaper.

Difficult as it might be to get your head around, it's actually quite simple once you've got used to it!

HTH
Jon (Pharmacist)

[Georgebulldog]

Questor
Thanks for that, you are just the one I need today but I couldn't remember who you were, can you tell me if you can get TCP here or is there anything similar?
I think the stuff is great & can't think what I'll do without it in the summer with bites an all, I like to use it before putting cream on later
Just got biten the other day & thought about the great TCP :)

Sorry for hi jacking :cheers

[Questor]

I've not seen TCP (I miss the smell) but there are loads of other antiseptic solutions available - the Savlon one is pretty good, though because it doesn't smell like TCP I am always suspicious! :)

And for bites, the ubiquitous and essential Anthisan is available :)

Jon

[Georgebulldog]

Thanks Questor
I do miss it strange as it seems I used to swear by it for lots of things, looks like I need to start looking at other things then :cheers

[marybelle]

Thanks for the info Questor.:nice1

Is it the same in NZ as is in UK that some medicines are cheaper to just buy over the counter rather than on prescrition?

Can you get repeat prescriptions for regular medication so that you don't have to visit the Dr every 4 weeks?

Can you buy stronger painkiller over the counter eg. co-codamol 500/30?

We have lived in other countries before and were amazed at the strength of painkiller you could buy off the shelf!!

Sorry for so many questions.

Marybelle

[Questor]

Hiya,

The maximum length of time a Dr can write a prescription for here is 3 months (6 months for a contraceptive). Approx. 70% of items are on the "stat" list where we dispense them all in one lot, the rest are done monthly. Obviously this depends on how long the Doc writes the prescription for.
As for the other item, Co-codamol 30/500 isn't marketed in this country at all at the minute, not even on prescription, although that may change.

Jon