Latest articles
What to buy at an Australian pharmacy: vitamins, Lucas’ Papaw and lanolin cream
Visiting the Gold Coast? Australian vitamins, Lucas’ Papaw Ointment and lanolin cream, buying in bulk, and claiming the GST back at the airport.
Boring Without You (BWU) guide: skincare made for combination skin
A pharmacist-reviewed guide to Boring Without You (BWU), the Australian brand made for combination skin: its cleanser, serum, gel moisturiser and multi-mask.
CeraVe guide: which cleanser and moisturiser suits your skin?
Which CeraVe cleanser and moisturiser suits your skin? A pharmacist-reviewed guide to ceramides, oily, acne-prone and eczema-prone skin, and CeraVe SPF 50.
La Roche-Posay guide: Effaclar, Cicaplast, Lipikar, Anthelios and more
Effaclar for oily skin, Toleriane for sensitive skin, Lipikar and Cicaplast for dry patches, Anthelios SPF50+ and the serums: La Roche-Posay explained.
Medicube guide: Zero Pore Pads, PDRN serum and how to use them
A pharmacist-reviewed guide to Medicube, the Korean skincare brand: Zero Pore Pads, PDRN Pink serum, collagen masks, kojic acid pads and how to use them.
The Ordinary guide: what to use for your skin, and what not to mix
Niacinamide, salicylic acid, retinal and more: which The Ordinary products suit oily, dry or acne-prone skin, what not to mix, and the Peeling Solution rules.
Vaccinations for China: what Australians need before they go
China needs no entry vaccines, but check measles, flu, hepatitis A and typhoid. Extra advice for family visits, altitude in Tibet and live animal markets.
Vaccinations for Fiji: what Australians need before they go
Fiji has no malaria and is rabies-free, but dengue and leptospirosis after floods are risks. The vaccines to check, from measles to typhoid, and food safety.
Vaccinations for India: what Australians need before they go
Most travellers to India need hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Why visiting family raises your risk, rabies and JE advice, and a fake rabies vaccine alert.
Why your pharmacist asks questions (and sometimes for ID)
How medicines are grouped in Australia, why pharmacists ask who it's for, why some cold and flu tablets need photo ID, and the rules on early repeats.
Vaccinations for Bali: what Australians need before they go
No vaccines are needed to enter Bali, but measles, hepatitis A and typhoid are worth having. When rabies and JE vaccines make sense, and avoiding Bali belly.
Ear piercing aftercare: how to look after a new piercing
How to clean a new ear piercing, how long it takes to heal, when you can change earrings or swim, and the signs of infection. From our Pacific Fair team.
Free vaccines at the pharmacy in Queensland: who's eligible in 2026
Which vaccines are free at a Queensland pharmacy in 2026: flu, COVID-19, RSV, shingles, pneumococcal, catch-ups and more, who qualifies and what changed.
Hangover remedies: what actually helps, and what doesn't
Big night in Broadbeach? What actually helps a hangover, what doesn't, which pain relief to choose, and the signs of alcohol poisoning and drink spiking.
Do you need vaccinations for Japan? What Australians should know
Most trips to Japan need no special vaccines, but check measles and flu, ask about Japanese encephalitis for rural stays, and know Japan's medicine rules.
Mosquitoes on the Gold Coast: Ross River virus and bite prevention
Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are Queensland's most common mosquito-borne illnesses. Symptoms, when to see a GP, and how to avoid bites this summer.
Padel on the Gold Coast: health benefits and how to avoid injury
Padel is booming on the Gold Coast. Its health and social benefits, common injuries, sun safety on outdoor courts and a pharmacist's tips for staying on court.
Passport photo requirements: Australia and common visa sizes
Australian passport photo rules (35–40mm by 45–50mm, plain background, no glasses), guarantor endorsement, and photo sizes for US, UK, China and more.
Red, stinging eyes after swimming: causes and relief
Why your eyes go red after the pool or beach, how to soothe them, why you should never swim in contact lenses, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
Swimmer's ear: symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it
Swimmer's ear is an outer ear canal infection that's common in a Gold Coast summer. Symptoms, prevention, when you need a GP and how a pharmacist can help.
Vaccinations for Thailand and Vietnam: a pharmacist's guide
Hepatitis A for most trips, typhoid especially for Vietnam or street food, and when rabies and JE vaccines make sense. Start 6 to 8 weeks before you fly.
Vaccines for uni students: placements, colleges and catch-ups
Starting uni? Which vaccines health students need before clinical placements, why college students need meningococcal vaccines, and which catch-ups are free.
How to move your prescriptions to a new pharmacy
Moving scripts to a new pharmacy is free. How to bring across eScripts, your Active Script List, paper repeats and your PBS Safety Net record, step by step.
Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list
Christmas gifts and gift sets at Priceline Pacific Fair: fragrance, makeup, skincare, grooming, electric toothbrushes and stocking fillers, with free gift help.
60-day prescriptions: which medicines, who can get them and what you save
Two months' supply for one PBS co-payment: who can get a 60-day script, how to check if your medicine qualifies, and what it saves a general patient.
Can you drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?
Only a few antibiotics react badly with alcohol, and we label those boxes. Why drinking can still slow your recovery, and how to plan around party season.
Sun protection for babies: what's safe under 12 months
Queensland's UV Index is 3 or above all year, so babies need shade, clothing and hats. Why sunscreen waits until 6 months, and how to cover a pram safely.
How to choose the right sunscreen for Gold Coast conditions
A buyer's checklist for the best sunscreen on the Gold Coast: SPF50+, broad spectrum, water resistance, humid-weather textures, kids and makeup.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen for kids: doses, timing and safety
Dose by weight, not age: how often to give children's paracetamol and ibuprofen, the daily limits, who shouldn't have ibuprofen, and whether to give both.
Cold sores and the sun: triggers and what helps
Can the sun trigger a cold sore? Why UV sets them off, SPF lip balm for Gold Coast beach days, what to do at the first tingle and when to see a GP.
Dry mouth: common causes (including medicines) and what helps
About 600 medicines can cause dry mouth, including antidepressants and antihistamines. Why it matters for your teeth, and what helps if a medicine is the cause.
Eczema in summer: keeping flare-ups under control
Eczema in summer myths vs facts: heat, sweat, pool and beach swimming, sunscreen for sensitive skin and when to see a GP, for humid Gold Coast weather.
Electric vs manual toothbrush: which is better?
A Cochrane review of 56 trials found powered brushes cut plaque and gingivitis more, but technique matters most. Who benefits and which features are worth it.
Fake tan: how to apply it, make it last, and why you still need SPF
Fake tan gives no UV protection, so you still need sunscreen daily in Queensland. How to prep, apply with a mitt without streaks, make it last and remove it.
Summer holiday first aid kit checklist (Gold Coast edition)
A first aid kit checklist for Gold Coast summer holidays: what to pack for the beach, pool, theme parks and road trips, plus keeping medicines cool.
Forgot your medicine on holiday? How to get it on the Gold Coast
Forgot medication on holiday? Step-by-step options for Gold Coast visitors from interstate and overseas, including eScripts and a GP inside our store.
Fragrance gift ideas from our beauty advisors
Perfume gift sets and fragrance gift ideas from our Pacific Fair beauty advisors: what's in a gift set, scent families, EDT vs EDP and how to test a scent.
Fragrance and sensitive skin: allergies, sun reactions and wearing scent
Fragrance is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from cosmetics. Allergy or irritation, patch testing, fragrance-free vs unscented, and sun reactions.
Gastro in kids: how to keep them hydrated and when to worry
Small sips often, even if they're vomiting: using oral rehydration solution (frozen into ice blocks), signs of dehydration and Queensland childcare rules.
Are gel nails and UV nail lamps safe? UV, allergies and removal
Gel nails carry two risks: UV from the curing lamp and allergy to acrylates such as HEMA. How to reduce both, why DIY kits add risk, and safe removal.
Generic vs brand-name medicines: are they the same?
Generics have the same active ingredient in the same amount, checked by the TGA. Why the box looks different, what the PBS brand premium is and how to ask.
Hayfever on the Gold Coast: why our season is different
Our subtropical grasses flower through summer and autumn, so Gold Coast hayfever peaks later than down south. A local pollen calendar and ways to cut exposure.
Head lice: how to get rid of them (and stop them coming back)
Treat, then treat again: conditioner and a lice comb every 2 to 3 days, or a lotion repeated after 7 days. Why lice come back, the myths, and school rules.
Heat exhaustion vs heatstroke: symptoms, first aid, hydration
Heat exhaustion symptoms vs heatstroke, step-by-step first aid, when to call 000 and hydration tips for a humid Gold Coast summer, from our local pharmacy.
How to help an ageing parent manage their medicines
Visiting Mum or Dad over the holidays? How to help an elderly parent with medication: warning signs, medicines lists, packs, reviews and safe disposal.
How often should you clean makeup brushes and sponges?
Foundation brushes need washing every one or two uses, powder brushes every week or two. Step-by-step cleaning and drying, and when to replace your tools.
How to get rid of old medicines safely (free at the pharmacy)
Unwanted medicines go back to any pharmacy for free, safe disposal. What we accept at our Pacific Fair counter, where sharps go, and how to read expiry dates.
eScripts, Active Script Lists and scripts on file, explained
An eScript is a QR code token sent to your phone. How to use it at any pharmacy, when an Active Script List is easier, and what to do if you lose a token.
Magnesium supplements: which type, and what the evidence says
Citrate, chloride and lactate forms absorb better than magnesium oxide. The evidence for cramps and sleep, who runs low, and which medicines to space it from.
How to make perfume last longer in Gold Coast heat
Apply to moisturised skin on warm pulse points, let it dry without rubbing, and store it cool and dark: how to make scent last in Gold Coast heat and humidity.
Does makeup expire? How long mascara, foundation and lipstick last
Mascara lasts about three months once opened; powders keep longest. Reading the open-jar symbol, why old eye makeup is risky, and storing makeup in the heat.
Mineral vs chemical sunscreen: which is right for your skin?
Both types protect, Cancer Council says. How mineral and chemical filters differ, which suit sensitive or breakout-prone skin and kids, and nanoparticle safety.
Normal blood pressure: numbers explained (and when to act)
What's a normal blood pressure? Australian ranges in a simple chart, what readings like 120/84 mean, and where to get a free check at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach.
Can you take paracetamol and ibuprofen together?
Yes, most adults can take them together or alternate them, including Panadol and Nurofen. How to time doses, daily limits and who should skip ibuprofen.
PBS Safety Net 2026: thresholds, tracking and what you pay after
In 2026 the PBS Safety Net is $1,748.20 for general patients and $277.20 with a concession card. How to count family scripts, and what you pay after.
Contraception consultations with a Queensland pharmacist: how they work
How contraception consultations with a trained Queensland pharmacist work: who's eligible, what happens in the consult and when you'll see a GP. Pacific Fair.
Pigmentation and melasma in Queensland: what helps
Most uneven skin tone in Queensland comes back to the sun. Sun spots vs melasma vs acne marks, why daily tinted SPF50+ helps, and which ingredients may help.
Postpartum hair loss: why it happens and when it stops
Shedding often starts two to three months after birth and usually settles on its own. Why it happens, what's normal, supplements, and when to see a GP.
Should you take a probiotic with antibiotics?
Some probiotic strains may reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, but not every product has been studied. Timing, choosing a strain and who should avoid them.
Retinol for beginners: how to start without irritation
Start low and slow: two or three nights a week, a moisturiser after and SPF every morning. Irritation vs purging, what not to mix, and pregnancy advice.
Shingles vaccine: who can get it free and why it matters
The shingles vaccine is free under the NIP from 65, from 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for some immunocompromised adults.
Skincare for humid weather: a Gold Coast summer routine
Sticky Gold Coast summer? Skincare for humid weather: sweat, air-con, breakouts and a simple day and night routine for oily, dry and sensitive skin.
Skincare routine order: what goes on first (and what not to mix)
Cleanse, then go thinnest to thickest. Where sunscreen goes in the morning, why retinol and acids go on different nights, and niacinamide with vitamin C.
SPF30 vs SPF50+: does the number matter on the Gold Coast?
SPF30 filters about 96.7% of UVB and SPF50+ about 98.3%. Why Cancer Council still recommends 50+, what the label means, and why using enough matters more.
Does SPF in your foundation count? Sunscreen under makeup, done right
SPF in foundation isn't as effective as a primary sunscreen, UQ researchers say. How to layer sunscreen under makeup, reapply it on top, and humid-day textures.
Supplements that can interact with your medicines
St John's wort with antidepressants and the pill, vitamin K with some blood thinners, minerals with some antibiotics: supplement interactions and staying safe.
Teeth whitening strips and kits: are they safe?
Home whitening kits in Australia are limited to lower peroxide strengths, but sensitivity and gum burns still happen. Who should see a dentist first.
Threadworms: how to treat the whole family and stop reinfection
Treat everyone in the house at once, even people without symptoms, and usually repeat in one to two weeks. The hygiene steps that stop eggs reinfecting you.
Travel health checklist: what to sort 6–8 weeks before you fly
Our travel health checklist counts down from 8 weeks to the day before you fly: vaccines, scripts, PBS rules and a travel kit, sorted at Pacific Fair.
Travel sickness on theme park rides, boats and road trips
Travel sickness tips for Gold Coast theme parks, whale-watching tours and winding hinterland drives, for kids and adults, plus when to see a GP.
Vitamin D on the Gold Coast: do you still need a supplement?
Most Gold Coast locals get enough vitamin D from everyday sun. Who still runs low, how to balance sun and skin cancer risk, testing, and supplement doses.
What can a pharmacist treat in Queensland without a GP?
Trained Queensland pharmacists can treat UTIs, offer contraception consultations and help with reflux, ear infections, school sores, eczema, acne and shingles.
Flu season in Queensland: when to get your flu shot
When to get your flu shot in Queensland before the winter peak, who may get it free, side effects and what to expect. Walk-in flu shots at Pacific Fair.
Whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy: what you need to know
Recommended in every pregnancy, ideally at 20 to 32 weeks, so antibodies reach your baby before birth. Whether it's free, and why partners and carers matter.
Acne treatment at the pharmacy: what actually helps
Acne treatment from the pharmacy: what helps, how long it takes and when to see a GP. Pharmacist tips on sunscreen and skincare for humid Gold Coast days.
Athlete’s foot treatment: how to clear it for good
Athlete's foot treatment: pharmacy antifungal options, how long to use them and when to see a GP. Tips for humid Gold Coast summers, pools and gym showers.
Bluebottle sting treatment: what to do (and what not to do)
Stung by a bluebottle on the Gold Coast? Step-by-step first aid from Australian guidelines, myths to ignore (vinegar, urine) and when to call 000.
Common cold remedies: myths, facts and what helps
Common cold remedies that ease symptoms, cold vs flu, why antibiotics don't help, and safe options for kids. Advice from our Pacific Fair pharmacists.
Constipation relief: a pharmacist’s checklist
Constipation relief that works: fibre, fluids, toilet position and laxative types explained, plus tips for Gold Coast holidays and when to see a GP.
Dandruff treatment: your questions answered
Dandruff treatment explained: causes, medicated shampoos, home tips and when to see a GP. Handy advice for Gold Coast swimmers who wash their hair often.
Dry skin remedies: a pharmacist’s checklist
Dry skin treatment and remedies: shower habits, choosing a moisturiser and when to see a GP. Tips for skin dried out by Gold Coast sun, salt water and air-con.
Haemorrhoids treatment: myths, facts and home care
Haemorrhoids treatment at home and from the pharmacy, why drinking water matters in Gold Coast heat, and when any bleeding means you should see a GP.
Headache relief: your questions answered
Headache relief explained: tension-type triggers like Gold Coast heat and dehydration, safe pain relief, medication-overuse headache and when to call 000.
Heartburn relief and GORD: what actually helps
Heartburn relief from our Broadbeach pharmacists: common triggers, eating and sleep tips, pharmacy reflux medicines, and when chest pain means call 000.
How to treat a cut or scrape: step-by-step first aid
How to treat a cut or scrape: stop bleeding, clean, cover and spot infection. Plus tetanus advice and red flags for Gold Coast beach and holiday injuries.
Migraine relief: what to do when an attack starts
Migraine relief step by step: spot the warning signs, act early, know your triggers like Gold Coast storms and glare, and when a headache means call 000.
Mouth ulcer treatment: home care and when to worry
Mouth ulcer (mouth sore) treatment: saltwater rinses, soft foods, numbing and protective gels from the pharmacy, and when to see a Gold Coast dentist or GP.
Nail fungus treatment: myths, facts and what works
Nail fungus treatment myths vs facts: pharmacy nail lacquers, when you need a GP and why it takes months. Foot tips for humid Gold Coast summers and pools.
Scabies treatment in Australia: your questions answered
Scabies treatment in Australia: pharmacy and GP options, treating your whole household, washing bedding, and advice for Gold Coast share houses.
Sprain vs strain: what’s the difference and what to do
Sprain vs strain explained, with RICE and No HARM first aid for ankles rolled on Gold Coast sand, plus the red flags that mean a GP visit or X-ray.
Sun safety on the Gold Coast: why UV is a year-round job
Gold Coast UV hits 3+ every day, even in winter. Simple sun safety for beach days, the school run and car parks, plus when to get a spot checked by a GP.
Sunburn treatment: what to do after too much sun
Sunburn treatment step by step: cool, soothe and protect burnt skin, and know when to see a GP. Pharmacist tips for Gold Coast beach days and holidays.
Trouble sleeping: tips from your local pharmacist
Trouble sleeping tips for hot, humid Gold Coast nights: routines, caffeine timing, when to see a GP and how our Pacific Fair pharmacists can help.
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Our articles are general information only and aren’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist.