Normal for chemists in NZ to ask for address?

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GeekGuy

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#239493 20-Jul-2018 16:48

Is it normal for a chemist to ask for your address everytime you go to pay for your prescription medicine ?

I see my Doctor about 4-5 times a year and usually get a prescription for antibiotics and/or Ventolin which I take to the Chemist located in the same building.

I have now noticed they ask my address everytime when paying... is this normal and standard procedure ?

gehenna

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#2059463 20-Jul-2018 16:51

Yes.

KrazyKid

1238 posts

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#2059465 20-Jul-2018 16:53

Pretty sure they do this to make sure they are giving the right medicine to the right person.

Could go terribly wrong if the incorrect John Smith picks up a bag of someone else's meds.

rugrat

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#2059508 20-Jul-2018 17:46

They know your address. It’s on the prescription information, medical data base.

They are asking to verify they have right person, not because they actually want to find out what your address is.

GeekGuy

593 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2059565 20-Jul-2018 18:36

Thought it may have been procedure. Just seemed strange when it was quiet in the chemist with just me and another guy there.

He was not asked for his address when he paid and I was.

As it was quiet, it only took a few minutes to handing the prescription over (with my address on it) and receiving it from the same person.

tdgeek

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#2059567 20-Jul-2018 18:41

Some pills have contents that can be used for addicts. It might be that. Best to make an across the board rule rather than these 24, but not the other 53.

itxtme

2102 posts

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#2059698 20-Jul-2018 22:36

It is more likely due to the fact that after 20 prescribed medications you no longer pay the $5.00 charge per item. This is mapped to your name and address.