Adelaide’s new 24/7 pharmacy locations revealed

Three around-the-clock pharmacies are opening early next year in Adelaide, to reduce pressure on emergency departments. Here’s where they are.

South Australians living in Adelaide will soon have access to three 24/7, around-the-clock pharmacies the state government says will reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments.

On Sunday, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the three locations – Chemist Warehouse at Saints Shopping Centre in Salisbury Plains, Chemist Warehouse in Clovelly Park and National Pharmacies in Norwood.

He said it was not a trial, but would let the “numbers” determine if any expansion was needed after they start operating in February next year.

“We’ve committed to at least three and we’re now delivering on that (and) we want to make sure that we cover as much of metropolitan Adelaide as we possibly can,” he said.

The initiative will cost $2.5m a year and will see people get access to antibiotics prescription medication for urinary tract infections (UTI’s) and also easy access to contraceptive pills starting from March next year.

The state government is also still in the process of working with the pharmacies to provide mental health first aid training to pharmacists, expand access to palliative care medicine, access to vaccinations and allow pharmacists to conduct medication reviews for people leaving hospitals with complex health needs.

Health Minister Chris Picton said it would be a “huge benefit” for families across Adelaide who would otherwise have to go to an emergency department to seek medical assistance.

“Lack of access to pharmacies after hours is a concern that is raised by many families, and often leaves people with nowhere else to turn but emergency departments,” Mr Picton said.

“This is not only inconvenient for them, but places extra strain on our busy emergency departments.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing three 24/7 around-the-clock pharmacies which the state government says will “reduce pressure” on hospital emergency departments. Photo: Douglas Smith

“Introducing 24-hour pharmacies to South Australia will provide important access to the care families need, when they need it, while also helping to further reduce pressure on busy hospitals.”

The three pharmacies will also have security plans including on-site security guards that will be stationed at each location overnight.

National Pharmacies at Norwood is expected to be the first chemist to start operating on a 24-hour basis from February next year, with the two Chemist Warehouse locations to follow soon after in March.

At each location, pharmacists will be on staff 24 hours a day to provide expert advice and professional pharmacy services, including dispensing prescription medications.