Collingwood Street

We're closing early this Thursday the 10th @ 4:30pm for our Christmas function, and back to normal hours 8:30am to 5:30pm on Friday.
It's been a year of ups and (lock)downs, and we're very lucky to have such a clever committed staff, so I'd like to thank them with a night out! Apologies for any incovenience. Tim

Collingwood Street updated their website address.

Summer Special @ Collingwood St Pharmacy

On special & in store now!

Available in store now 😀

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THERMOMETERS, THERMOMETERS, THERMOMETERS!!!
Back in store now & only $9.99

I’m not sure if I should still have the control of the page (?) but I’ve just finished a week of a 2 week locum at CSP. How did I find it? Amazing; Tim has assembled an ace team and all of his changes have been enhancements and inspired. They are super busy but everyone seems to have taken a Vow of Positiveness and it hums! I have loved seeing many of my old patients (but sadly have also there have been some fallen totara). If you felt like calling in next week you’d be welcome (comments about sitting on Santa’s knee etc will be met with an icy stare - just a friendly warning) Gary Chalmers

Momentous news from 132 Collingwood St: I have signed a Bill of Sale for the pharmacy with the new owner-to-be (ta da!)... Tim Madill! The date of handover is 1 February 2019. I have complete confidence in Tim and his professional and personal values in continuing to provide excellent care to our patients. Please feel free to call in to congratulate him. I’m excited to be looking forward to some new challenges, ideas both in and out of pharmacy that I’ve been thinking about. I will be around for the summer to assist with the transition so I’ll be available to chat about things, such as “the good old days” Best wishes to you all

Happy Easter everybody. As usual we’re open Sunday (9-10am) AND Monday (same: 9-10). Sorry not open Saturday. Oh and it’s daylight saving change (go back)...

I’m (Gary) temporarily out of action with sciatica. I’ve found that “everyone “ has a Back Story so I probably don’t need to explain that it’s a painful condition where the sciatic nerve (my left leg) is being affected by a distorted disc (L4). It seems to be improving with rest and an heroic number of painkillers (aah modern medicines, tick!). I’m hoping to be back soon and meanwhile I am grateful to Tim Ann Priti Ruth Ramon Hec and Polly for seamlessly carrying on

Hey sorry about the phone 📞 over the last few days. We’ve changed providers and the old company haven’t been at all helpful in relinquishing our (!) number. I perhaps foolishly thought it would go a lot easier. Thanks for not getting 😡; we hope no one was too badly affected!

- Collingwood Street Pharmacy, Nelson, New Zealand

Check out our Awesome new Virtual Tour.....

http://www.collingwoodstreetpharmacy.co.nz/

collingwoodstreetpharmacy.co.nz Apart from being able to develop a personal rapport with your pharmacist, your pharmacist can get to know about your health care requirements. This means we are able to monitor the medicines and treatments you have been prescribed and alert you to any potential issues that you, or your health care p...

A long weekend coming up, the last for a while. I wonder how the Irish lads in the Lions team will be celebrating Queenie's birthday?Nasty old winter days drive us inside to spread viruses to each other. I hope you've had a chance to stock up on our latest winter promo's bargains. We're open 0800-1730 Mon-Fri EXCEPT 5 June 0900-1000 (our usual Sunday hour).

Hmm are you really interested in Metoprolol? Luckily I am but I appreciate that many aren't. It's a drug used for blood pressure and irregular heartbeats taken by 100k NZers. It's been hard to get (know that feeling?) and now our "masters " (Pharmac) have gone back to the company that couldn't fulfil their contract. Mixed message or just anything to save a $...

I know, it's a hassle (and even a puzzle) how those script charges pop up every year. It's just a health tax and the good news is that it's limited to $100 per family per YEAR. The bad news is that you can still pay over this if you don't keep an eye on it. We'll help as much as we can but It does often help to stick to one pharmacy (such as ourselves). Just saying

Very big day for the Tim Madill Fan Club. He's back! Starts tomorrow! He's looking pretty relaxed after a year out being Home Dad and keen to catch up with his old friends, so feel welcome to call in for a chat or to get that "Tim Advice " he does so well!

2017 is the year that Pharmac seem to be changing many of our most used medicines to generics. Generics are a (usually exact) copy of the original patented brand. Mostly they are cheaper (because they don't have the R&D overheads of those research based companies). This of course is very attractive to Pharmac, and is of benefit to the poor old taxpayer too! The medicines you might most notice that are different are Atorvastatin (previously Zarator - not a robot name), Cilazapril (was Zapril) and Allopurinol. They look different - in cases wildly different but mostly the changes are tiny. It is important to realize that most changes are from one generic to another, and that we should notice NO difference in effect (or side effects etc). If we neglect to point out the change we are not trying to hoodwink you, it is just that we perhaps have forgotten who has been "changed" already. We're always happy to discuss these changes or anything to do with your meds!

Opening hours: 29/30 Dec 8am-5.30pm
31/12 by appointment (love that)
1 2 3 Jan (S M T) 9-10am
4 Jan onward 8.00-5.30 (normal hours). Other urgent requirements ring Gary 5468070 / 0277594352

We've had a massive year at CSP. Both professionally and personally. In the pharmacy we have been without our pinup boy (Tim) who has had a year off as House Elf. Priti and Rachel have been awesome subs and we want to hold onto them in some manner. ..watch this space. On the home front Donna has lost her beautiful mother and we have gained two bonny grandsons. We have also seen some of our lovely patients pick up their last prescriptions and we'll miss them all.
Thank you for your company friendship and the opportunity to be part of your lives. Merry Xmas Happy Holidays Happy New Year. Best wishes Gary and Donna. Remember to phone me if you are ever needing the pharmacy 0277594352

So the Metoprolol situation doesn't seem to be getting any better. Now we've (speaking as a pharmac functionary) gone back to using the original brand: Betaloc. It's kinda funny that our patients almost view it with suspicion because it is so removed from their experience. What is not particularly funny is that I can only buy 10 boxes at a time; we could use that in a day. So the message is we've just got to get through. Flexibility and tolerance would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to vent your frustration with Pharmac. Sadly they are Teflon coated and your MP will have nothing to do with criticizing them: it's a reality of the political world

I need to notify our patients who take Metoprolol about the supply situation. For several months we have struggled to obtain adequate and consistent stock. If you have been in recently you will be aware we are only able to give you a one month quantity (with repeats). I am not privy to the background but I suspect Pharmac have backed the wrong horse. Unfortunately for you and I Pharmac are immune from any accountability in their dealing with drug companies!
We can only try to maintain a fair distribution of this important medicine; we appreciate your patience and cooperation.

An update on charging: we have received a better contract offer from the DHB. While there remains issues I won't drag this into the public arena. The short version is we won't be charging the extra charge from now.
I have really appreciated the support of so many of our patients. In my view the DHB have underestimated the public's wish for a viable primary health system. It seems to me that the Brexit vote was partly a reaction to this sort of paternalism

I've had patients asking about our position on charging. We are charging an extra $1 on those prescriptions that would normally cost $5 (total = $6). The reason is that our current contract with the DHB (who pay the majority of the cost of prescriptions) is not sufficient to cover our costs, and for us to make a reasonable margin. The DHB have a different opinion on this but I find it difficult to reconcile that I am party to a contract that requires me to take a loss on a professional service that I supply. I know that most of my colleagues agree, but there are pharmacies that don't surcharge; the DHB will suggest that you try them if you disagree with our stand.
I am happy to discuss this situation with any of my patients, and if you do not want to pay the surcharge for reasons of cost or principle I can't oblige you to pay; it is voluntary. We certainly don't wish to lose your patronage over this issue.
We are deeply concerned that the DHB is going to continue to pressure our viability by expecting more and more for less and less, and that is why I am taking a stand now before we "die a death by a thousand cuts".
I appreciate the support I have had from patients when we have discussed this with them.

Patients are sometimes a little surprised we aren't open on Saturday mornings. I guess the biggest issue is that we are often there (I like to check with the hospice etc) but we don't want to be locked in to doing 9-12. I am very happy for people to ring me at home (0277594352) and arrange a time to meet. We are open 9-10 on Sunday (for mostly Methadone patients) but everyone is welcome.

1 April is the anniversary of Collingwood St Pharmacy (every year, actually).This year it's the 10th: where did that go? Thanks to everyone who has supported us, staff colleagues patients and customers. You have made it a great place to work and we hope you find it that way too.

Merry Christmas to all our customers/patients/friends. We are lucky to be able to have such a great job helping where we can . I am always amazed by the human spirit in dealing with the vissitudes of life. I only hope to be as strong as the example set by so many.
Gary Chalmers