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Is there a stock shortage of my medicine?
At RCH, we are unable to provide information on the availability of a particular medicine in the community. This is because hospital pharmacies and community pharmacies get their medicines from different suppliers. During this time, we do know that there may be delays in transport and distribution of medicines. Contact your community pharmacy directly to obtain accurate information on the stock of medicines.
Can I have my medicines posted from RCH Pharmacy
The RCH is limiting access to the hospital so we can protect you, our patients and our staff. To assist the RCH Pharmacy is able to post medicines, that cannot be dispensed at your community pharmacy. See below on how to contact RCH Pharmacy to order your medicines, allowing one week for dispensing and arrival at your home.
How to order your medications in advance from home:
All requests for medications to be dispensed by the RCH Pharmacy need to be done in person or in writing every time it is required. Due to the volume of requests we cannot schedule and automatically dispense for any patients. Once we have received your order we can process the prescription as per your requirements.
If your child's prescription are kept on file at the RCH Pharmacy, you can send your supply request to us:
If your child's prescription is with you:
- Scanning or take a photo of the current prescription you have at home (both copies - whole page) and email all pages as a request to rch.pharmacy@rch.org.au
- Fax both pages of the prescription including a cover page with instructions to: (03) 9345 7917
In your email/fax please include the following:
- your child's name and UR/MRN number
- the medication(s) required (including quantity)
- the best contact number/method
- the date the medication is required
- if you will come to collect OR if you want the medication sent out to you
*The original prescription will need to be posted and received by the RCH pharmacy prior to any medications being posted by the RCH pharmacy department.
Original prescriptions will need to be posted to:
Pharmacy Department
The Royal Children’s Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville Victoria 3052
The RCH email is accessed daily Monday - Friday between 9am and 430pm (Excluding public holidays).
* Please note that all of our RCH compounded mixtures, capsules & powders require 5 working days' notice to allow adequate manufacturing time. We understand there are times where this may not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances. Please contact us if you are in this situation and we will work with you to ensure your child does not go without medications.
There may be times that you need to speak with someone in the RCH Pharmacy Department. Our direct phone number is (03) 9345 5492
- Please press option 1 for instructions on how to order medication for your child.
- Please press option 2 to speak with a member of the Dispensary team.
- Please press option 3 to speak with the Medicines Information team.
If you are calling regarding your child's prescription the dispensary team (option 2) would usually be the best team to contact. Alternatively, you may call the hospital switch board on (03) 9345 5522 and ask for extension 53521.
We endeavour to answer all calls during our hours of service, at busy times this may not be possible. Please leave a voicemail. We aim to respond to all voice mail received during business hours.
Medication delivery service
The RCH Pharmacy Department are currently running an expanded postal service for prescription medications.
The Pharmacy Department at RCH has for many years offered a postal service for medications to patients and families that meet specific criteria. All those eligible for the postal service are required to pay for the costs associated with this service.
Unfortunately high cost medications, those over $500, cannot be sent through the postal service. These medications will still need to be collected from the hospital pharmacy as is current.
Medications are posted out on Mondays – Thursday (excluding public holidays). Please allow sufficient time for your order to be processed and arrive via the post.
** Australia Post advise that due to COVID-19 restrictions, some deliveries may take a little longer; some items may take 5 business days to arrive
The original prescription will need to be posted and received by the RCH pharmacy prior to any medications being posted by the RCH pharmacy department.
Families unable to pay for medicines
We are aware that many families have found themselves in a difficult financial position. If you are unable to pay for your child’s medicines, please contact RCH Finance who can arrange a payment plan to meet your needs.
Contact finance.ar@rch.org.au.
Page updated November 16, 2021: Pharmacy Department and Quality and Improvement