A new 24-hour pharmacy has opened its doors in Hallett Cove, giving residents in Adelaide’s southern suburbs continuous access to essential medicines and health services without having to travel far or wait until morning.
The TerryWhite Chemmart outlet at the Hallett Cove Pavilion Shopping Centre on Lonsdale Road is now operating day and night, every day of the year, including public holidays. It becomes the fourth 24/7 pharmacy in South Australia, joining sites in Norwood, Salisbury Plain and Clovelly Park.
The move fulfils a commitment made by the Malinauskas Labor Government during the Black by-election and forms part of a broader strategy to ease pressure on emergency departments by offering people more options for after-hours care.
More than 135,000 scripts have been dispensed by the state’s three existing 24-hour pharmacies since they began operating last year. Nearly 350,000 South Australians have walked through their doors during extended hours, with common requests including inhalers, antibiotics and pain relief. Thousands have also phoned in for advice, often when no other service is available.
Speaking at the opening, Acting Health Minister Blair Boyer said the new pharmacy would make a real difference for locals. “No one can control when they or a member of their family gets sick. To now be able to conveniently access medicines and health care through another 24/7 pharmacy is a huge benefit for the community in Adelaide’s south.”
He added that the round-the-clock pharmacies have proven their worth. “We know from our other three 24-hour pharmacies that this is a service that people want and rely on. Preventing the need to go to an emergency department is not only better for the patient, it’s better for our health system.”
According to government data, about one in five people who used a 24/7 pharmacy said they would have otherwise gone to hospital. Services currently offered include treatment for urinary tract infections, emergency contraception, minor burns, and stomach conditions—all delivered by trained pharmacists, without the need for a GP visit.
Local MP Alex Dighton called it a welcome addition. “It’s absolutely fantastic to have a 24-hour pharmacy now operating in our great community,” he said. “People get sick at any time of the day or night and this service will provide access to important health care round-the-clock, closer to home.”
The initiative is part of a wider shift in South Australia’s primary care model. From next year, community pharmacies will be able to assess and treat a wider range of conditions, with $2.2 million allocated in the 2025–26 State Budget to support the change.
That means pharmacies like TerryWhite Chemmart Hallett Cove could soon be the first port of call for ear infections, skin conditions, wound care, gastrointestinal issues and joint pain. The aim is to relieve pressure on GPs and hospitals, while offering faster, more convenient options for patients.
SA Health Chief Pharmacist Naomi Burgess said the new pharmacy service was designed to reflect how people live. “We are pleased to support our community pharmacies in expanding round-the-clock access to medicines, advice and health care for all South Australians. With a pharmacist on staff 24-hours to provide expert advice and supply medications, the 24/7 pharmacies help relieve pressure on our broader health system, while giving their customers appropriate care and peace of mind at all times of the day and night.”
For Robert Pietrantuono, co-owner of the new TerryWhite Chemmart, the launch was about meeting a very real need. “This is a proud moment for our pharmacy and our local community. We know that health concerns don’t stick to business hours, and we’re ready to provide trusted care and advice whenever our patients need it.”
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