WOOLWORTH'S New Zealand subsidiary, Countdown, is continuing the roll out of its free prescriptions strategy, extending the service to three Bay of Plenty stores.
The program had previously been introduced to the supermarket chain's in-store pharmacies in Auckland.
Countdown's head pharmacist, Jeremy Armes, said the introduction of the supermarket's free script plan in three pharmacies in the Tauranga region, in Fraser Cove, Bayfair and The Valley, could save local patients more than NZ$135,000 The New Zealand Herald reported.
"We've trialled free pharmacy prescriptions in our Auckland stores and the feedback was extremely positive," he said.
"We're pleased to now be able to extend this offer to more of our Countdown pharmacies, including here in Tauranga.
"Our in-store pharmacist expertise will continue to focus on patient care, while at the same time providing customers with lower prices and free prescriptions for their pharmacy needs."
Armes said Countdown was committed to improving access to healthcare and making it more affordable, through its pharmacies, adding that the roll out of free prescription services in Tauranga was a logical step to achieve that.
The supermarket chain gained access to the community pharmacy sector in New Zealand in 2012, and now has 30 pharmacies in its stores across the Shaky Isles.
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