Forté Pharmacy is a locally owned and operated pharmacy at 151 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, trading as Unichem Forté Pharmacy. The team focuses on personalised attention and a holistic approach to medication management, aiming to make getting and staying healthy convenient for every customer.
Beyond dispensing prescriptions, Forté Pharmacy offers compounding medicine services, medical equipment rentals, a range of vaccinations, and pharmacist-led treatment for conditions like urinary tract infections and erectile dysfunction that don't always require a doctor's visit. The pharmacy also runs a free prescription text reminder service, complimentary bicycle deliveries, in-store New Zealand Post services, and on-the-spot ear piercing.
The team includes Annabel (Pharmacist and Pharmacy Owner), Teresa (Pharmacist and Dispensary Manager), Melanie (Dispensary Technician), and retail assistants Sally and Georgia.
Forté Pharmacy, trading as Unichem Forté Pharmacy, sits at 151 Kilmore Street in Christchurch, describing itself simply as a locally owned and operated pharmacy. The team's stated focus is personalised attention and a holistic approach to medication management, aimed at making it genuinely convenient for customers to get and stay healthy.
While dispensing remains central to the business, Forté Pharmacy has built out a wide range of additional services. Compounding medicine services let the pharmacy prepare custom-made medicines for patients whose needs aren't met by standard formulations, handled by a team the pharmacy describes as skilled in the craft. Medical equipment rentals, one of the pharmacy's newest offerings, has quickly become one of its most popular - the pharmacy credits its team and service quality for helping establish it as a preferred pharmacy in Christchurch.
Forté Pharmacy administers a solid range of vaccinations, including flu vaccinations, meningococcal (meningitis), shingles (Zostavax), and whooping cough (Boostrix), alongside Vitamin B12 injections. Beyond vaccination, the pharmacists are qualified to prescribe several treatments directly, without requiring a GP visit first. Selective oral contraceptives can be prescribed following a blood pressure check and a short set of questions, and emergency contraception (the ECP) is available for use up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
For erectile dysfunction, pharmacists who've undertaken additional training can dispense sildenafil (Viagra) without a prescription, for eligible males aged 35 to 70 who don't smoke and are in good health. The process involves a roughly 15-minute consultation, including a blood pressure check and a series of questions to confirm suitability, and once approved, patients can continue purchasing the treatment for 12 months before a fresh assessment is required. Similarly, for urinary tract infections, pharmacists can supply the antibiotic Trimethoprim without a prescription for patients who meet the relevant criteria - a service the pharmacy notes isn't offered everywhere.
Beyond clinical services, Forté Pharmacy runs a free prescription reminder service, texting customers when their prescription is ready for collection, and offers a complimentary delivery service by bicycle for those who can't make it in. The pharmacy also hosts New Zealand Post services in-store for domestic and international parcels, and offers on-the-spot ear piercing using the Studex System75 - a modern, virtually silent system using sterile, single-use cartridges that keeps the process hygienic without the piercer touching the stud, clasp or ear directly.
Forté Pharmacy also participates in BowelScreen Aotearoa, New Zealand's pharmacy-based bowel cancer awareness and screening programme, using a clinically proven immunochemical faecal occult blood test. Annual screening is recommended for men and women aged 45 and over who have no symptoms and no personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps - anyone with symptoms or a relevant history is advised to speak with their doctor instead.
Forté Pharmacy is owned by Annabel, who works as a pharmacist alongside Teresa, the pharmacy's Dispensary Manager. Melanie serves as Dispensary Technician, with Sally and Georgia rounding out the team as retail assistants.
Forté Pharmacy is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, and closed on public holidays. Parking is available right at the door, making it a straightforward stop for customers picking up prescriptions or accessing any of the pharmacy's other services.