At Brassall Pharmacy, our experienced and qualified pharmacists are always on hand to provide informed and accurate advice about medicine and health issues. We take the time to help you understand how your medication works and how to take it properly. We’re committed to enhancing your health and providing you with the services and advice you need to make the best choices.

With a team of dedicated pharmacists, we’re able to provide a range of community health and support services for children, parents and carers. Chat with our experienced staff in the privacy of our consultation room. With no appointments necessary, our staff can help with:

• Growth and development checks
• Early feeding support
• Nutritional information and ongoing support
• Immunisation information
• Parenting support

At Brassall Pharmacy, you’ll find a range of vitamins and complementary medicines from leading brands like Nature’s Own, Bioglan, Bio-organics, Cenovis, Ethical Nutrients, BioCeuticals, BN Multi, Medi-herb and more. Ideal for enhancing overall health and wellbeing, vitamins and complementary medicines can assist in preventing disease and maintaining good health. BioCeuticals is a high quality, practitioner-only nutritional and therapeutic supplement from a proudly owned  Australian company. Renowned for delivering high quality integrative medicines to healthcare practitioners, BioCeuticals aims to consistently raise standards of complementary therapies.

We stock an extensive range of healthcare equipment used to monitor and manage your health. You’ll find reliable nebulisers, Vicks and Taav vaporisers to assist with respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, emphysema, croup and more. We also stock Omron blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors (Abbott’s Freestyle and Roche’s Accu-check) and more. Chat with our pharmacists to find out how you can take better care of your health with our range of healthcare equipment.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as the silent killer. Usually with no symptoms, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, increased risks of disease and a rapid brain loss of brain function. As Australia’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability, monitoring blood pressure is essential. Blood pressure can be monitored and lowered by not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol, healthy eating and regular exercising. Chat with our experienced pharmacists about regular blood pressure monitoring and healthy living techniques.

A Home Medication Review (HMR) is a comprehensive clinical review of your medicines in your home by an accredited pharmacist on referral. You may also choose to be referred to your local pharmacy or a selected pharmacist. This service involves cooperation between patients, families, GPs, pharmacists and other health professionals. A HMR service improves your overall knowledge and understanding about medications, facilities working relationships in the interest of your health.

Webster Packs, also known as Dose Administration Aids (DAA), are a sealed weekly calendar pack designed to help you take medication correctly. All regular medication is sealed into blister compartments, ready for easy identification and administration.

The benefits

• Ensure all medication is administered
• Manage prescriptions and easily identify when you need new scripts
• Keep track of and check when to take medications
• Limit confusion over different medications
• Medication profiles and information printed on each pack
• Gives families and patients peace of mind

Get started

• Chat with our local pharmacist about Webster Packs
• Bring in a medication summary from your doctor and all of your scripts so we can review and update your medicines profile
• Pick up your packs and enjoy simple better health without stress and hassle

Associated costs At Brassall Pharmacy, we charge just $3.50 per week per pack plus the cost of your medications. Gold Repat patients can get the cost of their Webster Packs subsidised by the Department of Veteran Affairs. We also offer free delivery of your Webster Pack across the local area.

Brassall Pharmacy features an in-store diabetes hub endorsed by Diabetes Australia. We’re able to provide a wide range of diabetes management services tailored to your needs. Combined with a free blood glucose meter upgrade and reading downloads, we make the self-management of diabetes easier with expert support and advice. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a complex condition affecting the entire body. Requiring daily self-care, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and life expectancy. While there is no known cure, you can live a long and enjoyable life by learning about and effectively managing your condition. With three types of diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational – all are complex and should be taken seriously.   How does it affect the body? Someone with diabetes is unable to maintain healthy levels of glucose – a form of sugar and our main energy source – in the blood. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to both long and short term health complications. In order to function properly, our bodies need to convert glucose from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for this conversion. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or production is not sufficient. When people with diabetes eat glucose it’s unable to be converted into energy. Instead, the glucose stays in the blood and results in high blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels (glycaemia) can be monitored and managed through self-care and treatment.   Diabetes risks Diabetes is is a serious condition with a range of potential complications, including:

• Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and disease, limb amputation, depression and anxiety
• Blindness in working age adults

Symptoms Type 1 diabetes can often be diagnosed quickly as symptoms can be sudden and life-threatening. Type 2 diabetes may not be noticed at all, while symptoms may be seen as part of getting older. Common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• More frequent urination
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Increased hunger
• Cuts that heal slowly
• Itching and skin infections
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss (type 1)
• Gradual weight gain (type 2)
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Leg cramps

Prevention Type 1:  Currently, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. Researchers are currently studying the autoimmune process and environmental factors that lead to development in order to prevent the occurrence in the future. Type 2:  It is estimated that 58% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or the onset delayed, through positive lifestyle changes including healthy weight maintenance, regular physical activity, managing blood pressure and cholesterol and not smoking.

Demonstrated to be a practical and cost-effective public health intervention, immunisation programs prevent around 2.5 million deaths per year worldwide. Not only protecting individuals, vaccinations protect the community by increasing the overall level of immunity and minimising spread of infection; also known as the concept of herd immunity.   With one of the most comprehensive publicly funded immunisation programs in the world, Australia has been able to minimise occurrences of a range of diseases, including tetanus, diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type B, poliomyelitis and more.   The National Immunisation Program provides routine childhood immunisations for all children in Australia free of charge. A vaccination dose may contain vaccines against one specific disease or provide immunity against several. This helps to reduce the number of injections required.   What we do Our qualified pharmacists are trained to administer a number of vaccinations to the adult public, including the yearly flu vaccine (fluvax), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (Boostrix aka the whooping cough), hepatitis A and Cholera. This is a paid service for those who may not see their doctor to maintain a vaccination schedule. This service may not be suitable for all and you might be referred to your doctor in some situations. Side effects Immunisations are safe and effective, however all medication can come with some side effects. In virtually all cases, immunisation side effects are not as serious as symptoms of actual diseases. If experienced at all, side effects are usually minor and temporary. Side effects can include:

• Mild fevers
• Pain and redness at the injection site
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness

Things to remember

• Immunisation from an early age is recommended for all children in Australia
• The National Immunisation Program outlines recommended vaccines and ages to obtain them
• Some groups are at higher risks than others and may require additional vaccinations
• Remain within the clinic for at least 15 minutes following your vaccination to be monitored for side effects
• Serious side effects or allergic reactions to vaccines are rare

How to book your vaccination Simply follow the link below or call Brassall Pharmacy on 3201 6570 https://www.medadvisor.com.au/Network/BrassallPharmacy

We stock a wide collection of the Making Life Easy range of daily living aid products. Stocking one of Australia’s leading providers of mobility and independent living aids, you’ll find walking sticks, walkers, seat belt reachers, seat cushions, handybar aids and much more at Brassall Pharmacy. Carefully selected to suit customer needs, visit our pharmacy to discover our range of bathroom, bedroom, pillows, support, everyday aids, walking aids and wheelchair products from Making Life Easy.

At Brassall Pharmacy, we stock an extensive range of beauty, skincare and cosmetics products. You’ll find premium brands like Natio, Nude By Nature, Dr Lewinn’s and more. We also stock a selection of fragrances to suit all tastes, plus the In-Essence range of aromatherapy lamps and oils.

• What is naturopathy? Naturopathy is a system of treatment which uses a range of natural approaches to address health problems or to improve one’s health to an optimal level. • Where can I find a naturopath? Our pharmacists can refer you onto a qualified naturopath for a holistic approach to your health. • Are natural treatments safe? “Natural” does not always mean “safe” or “harmless”. Natural medicines, even over-the-counter ones, can have side effects or may be harmful for certain people or when used with other medications. We can help you make the right choice.