Sleep Apnoea Services

If you’re concerned about your sleep health, speak to a Friendlies Pharmacist.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Services at Friendlies

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common medical condition affecting 5% of Australians. It doesn’t just deprive you of a good night’s sleep, it can have a real impact on your long-term health. Symptoms include daytime fatigue, tiredness, poor concentration and snoring. If you think you might be affected, head to your nearest Friendlies pharmacy and ask about a free1 home sleep study.

  • Free1 home sleep study

    Investigate if you have Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

  • CPAP trial

    Designed for people who have been recommended CPAP therapy.

  • Qualified physician

    Your results will be reviewed by a qualified sleep physician.

  • Results

    It will take approximately two weeks to get your results.

  • CPAP machine

    Friendlies have a range of CPAP machines available to purchase. Member benefits may be payable on the cost of the machine2

  • Accessories

    Friendlies also offer a wide range of CPAP machines and accessories available for purchase.

How to get started

The Friendlies home sleep study will investigate if you have OSA. It is conducted in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

  1. Make a booking

    Book a private consultation with your local Friendlies pharmacist.

  2. Come in for a chat

    Come in for a 15-minute private consultation to discuss your risk of OSA

  3. Get a referral

    If appropriate your pharmacist will provide a referral form to take to your GP

  4. Book in a home sleep study

    Take your completed referral form to your local pharmacy and your pharmacist will book you in for a private consultation at a suitable time, where the home sleep testing equipment will be set up on you

  5. Have your home sleep study

    Go home and sleep in the comfort of your own bed! The equipment records data throughout the night about your sleep pattern, heart rate, breathing and more.

Sleep Apnoea FAQs

Some of the associated symptoms include daytime sleepiness, fatigue and tiredness, poor concentration, irritability and mood changes. If you answer ‘yes’ to two or more of the following questions you are at high risk of having OSA and should speak to your GP or local Friendlies pharmacy about participating in a sleep study. 

  • Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or can be heard through a closed door)?
  • Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the day?
  • Has anyone noticed you stop breathing during your sleep?
  • Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

STOP Questionnaire (Chung F et al, Anaesthesiology. May 2008; 108(5):812-21)

Being overweight is one of the most common causes of OSA as it can cause a narrowing of the throat due to excess fatty tissue. Also, having a large waistline can make the lungs smaller during the night, which makes the throat more likely to collapse. Some people are born with a narrow throat or have a facial structure which leads to narrowing. Other contributing factors include: alcohol, especially in the evening as this relaxes the throat muscles and hampers the brain’s reaction to sleep disordered breathing, certain illnesses, large tonsils, medications, such as sleeping tablets and sedatives as well as nasal congestion and obstruction.
There is no cost for a Friendlies home sleep study as it is bulk billed through Medicare. However, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria to participate.
To be eligible for a free home sleep study at Friendlies, you need to be aged 18 years or over and have a valid GP referral. You must also have a Medicare card and not claimed a sleep study from Medicare in the past 12 months. Your participation in the study needs to be approved by a qualified sleep physician. Your local Friendlies pharmacy will seek this approval on your behalf.
Medicare will only cover the cost of the study if both your GP and a qualified sleep physician believe there is a high probability that you have OSA. You will need to visit your GP for a referral. Your local Friendlies pharmacy will seek approval from a qualified sleep physician on your behalf.
You can take the equipment off as soon as you wake up in the morning. You must return the equipment to Friendlies that same day. Friendlies will download your sleep data from the equipment and send it to a qualified sleep physician for review.
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Book a free consultation

A free 15-minute consultation with a pharmacist to discuss your sleep health.

Book a free consultation