FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

+ Where is my prescription?

Following your consultation, your doctor would have either given you a prescription, or you may have requested for it to be sent directly to Youmeds. If the prescription was sent to us, it may take up to one week for us to receive; any repeats remaining on the prescription is also with us at the pharmacy.

+ How long does delivery take?

We will dispatch most orders within 1-3 business days (Monday to Friday) if all items and compounding ingredients are currently in stock. All other orders will be dispatched as quickly as possible when ingredients are available.

Delivery times are dependent on Australia Post delivery times and may vary depending on where you live. Please allow between 1-5 working days from the date of the order being shipped for it to arrive to you. However, you may opt for standard or express postage, which may also speed up the delivery time.

+ How do I track my order?

Youmeds will send you a tracking number once your order has been dispatched from the pharmacy. You may track your order via Auspost HERE

COMPOUNDING

+ What is Compounding?

Drug compounding is when specially trained pharmacists combine active ingredients to make a formulation personalised to you. These formulas are always based on what your doctor has recommended, but just given that extra bit of consideration to make sure that it’s the right formulation for your specific needs.

+ What are the benefits?

Compounded products are created to fill the need for people that aren’t able to take commercial medications in their original formulation. Learn more HERE

+ Do I need a prescription?

Not always. Compounding can be used for prescription and over-the-counter products.

+ Where do I find a doctor that can prescribe compounded products?

Any doctor can prescribe compounded products, but not all do. If you have a specific compounded product in mind that requires a prescription, it would be best to discuss it with your doctor. If you need more specific information, you can also consult one of our pharmacists.

+ Can I get the compounded product under the PBS scheme?

Yes. We can advise of the ingredients that are covered on the Extemporaneous PBS list.

+ Will my private health fund cover my compounded medication?

Most health funds will cover your prescribed compound medication depending on your level of cover. To make sure there are no surprises, it is always best to check with them first.

+ Is compounding legal and safe?

Compounding is legal and has been around for a very long time—long before commercial packs became available from pharmaceutical companies. It is a safe practice when it is done by professionally trained pharmacists and technicians. At Youmeds, we take safety very seriously. We use computer tracking of all the ingredients to ensure our formulations are stable. In addition, because we create the formulations at the time of the request, we don’t have to add any preservatives or colouring, which can help people who may have allergies to some of these ingredients.

Learn more about how compounding can help with allergies - HERE.

+ Are you able to make sustained release (SR) capsules?

Yes

+ I am vegan / vegetarian. Can I get my capsules in gelatin-free capsule shells? Will it cost more?

Yes, they cost on average $2.00 more per prescription.

+ My compounded cream has only 30 days until the expiry date. Can I still use the expired cream?

Many compounded products are preservative free, so they are made to be used within their expiry date. We do not recommend using products beyond their expiry dates.

+ How can I increase the shelf life of a compounded product?

Talk to your compounding pharmacist to see if there is a way to do this. Also keeping items in the refrigerator slows down the breakdown of active ingredients.

+ I have some compounded product left that I won’t be using any more. Can I give it to my nephew/ dad / friend who has the exact same symptoms as me?

No, compounded products are always made for an individual. We do not recommend them being used by someone whom they were not prepared for.

+ I want to dispose of the unused product. Should I throw it in the garbage bin?

Discuss this with a doctor or pharmacist. Some medicines can be disposed of, but most should be taken to a pharmacy for proper disposal.

+ My prescription medication seems to be out of stock in most pharmacies, can you make it?

If we cannot make your exact prescription, we can often make a similar product.

+ Why does the price for compounded medications vary from my normal medications?

Compounded products are always prepared on an individual basis, so they are not made in bulk. There is a minimum amount required, so sometimes 100 capsules or 100g of a cream, is only marginally more expensive than a smaller quantity. However, occasionally they can be less expensive as well. When it comes to cost, it’s best to discuss your needs with a compounding pharmacist so that they can provide you options for cost savings.

+ Can you make my product colour and/or flavor free?

Yes, in fact, this is one of the major advantages of compounding. Since the products are made for immediate use, we can minimise the use of excipients (i.e. colouring agents, preservatives, and fillers).

MEDICINAL CANNABIS

+ Why does the price for medicinal cannabis vary from my normal medications?

Currently, medicinal cannabis is not subsidised by the PBS, which means that you have to pay out of pocket for your prescription. The higher cost of medicinal cannabis comes from import and storage fees – since most medicinal cannabis available in Australia is brought in from Canada and Europe.

+ How does pricing work?

Youmeds’ pricing for medicinal cannabis is highly competitive in the market. Additional charges that may apply will be for delivery (with signature on delivery included) and delivery insurance (which is optional).

+ How do I access medicinal cannabis? How do I know if I am eligible?

You will need to consult with a doctor or specialist pharmacist for an assessment of your condition and eligibility for medicinal cannabis. Learn more HERE. Take the Eligibility Test HERE.

+ How do I find a doctor that can prescribe medicinal cannabis?

We encourage you to discuss your interest in medicinal cannabis with your regular doctor to get a referral, who is in the best position to advise you about your health. They are familiar with your medical history and have knowledge of existing medications or other therapies you are currently taking.

However, if you would like to speak to one our pharmacists for more information, please book a consultation with us HERE.

+ Why is it taking so long to get my medication?

We fully appreciate that it may feel like a long time to get your first prescription of medicinal cannabis filled. There are quite a few legislative requirements that have to be met before medicinal cannabis can be dispensed.

In addition, there also may be some logistical delays that can occur with your courier. If you cannot track your order using your tracking number, please send us an email and we will be more than happy to help.

+ Can I drive whilst taking medicinal cannabis?

Cannabis can cause some impairment while driving. It is recommended to not drive when you are feeling the effects of the medication, which can be anywhere between 3-5 days.

To learn more about cannabis may impact driving. Please read this fact sheet.

+ How do I send you my original prescription?

Your prescription can be sent to us for FREE (no stamps required).

ATTN: Youmeds
Cincotta Chemist Belrose
Reply Paid 88437
Belrose NSW 2085

We would recommend always posting with a tracking number.

+ Do I have to send an original prescription or is an email ok?

By law we are required to receive the original prescription before we can dispense and supply the medication. Unfortunately, an e-mail copy does not meet this requirement.

+ Can I get more than 1 repeat at a time?

This will depend on the type of medicinal cannabis and directions your doctor has prescribed. If you want to know more about your prescription, feel free to give us a call and we can tell you.