Lab Pharmacy

The pharmacy industry in New Zealand is on a journey of change. While it is and always will be a hub for professional health advice, one pharmacist is on a mission to make it a destination for affordable and accessible, integrated medical and cosmetic services, known as Lab Pharmacy, by editor Trudi Brewer. Read on to learn more.

Lab Pharmacy on Akoranga Drive, in Auckland’s North Shore.

When Pharmacist Hayden Seung Hee Lee decided to go it alone, he wanted to open a high-tech pharmacy that would meet the needs of busy people searching for innovative and convenient health and well-being solutions. Lab Pharmacy is the result. While it’s a new concept in New Zealand, Lab Pharmacy reflects a growing global trend. Here Trudi Brewer shares Seung Hee Lee’s story.

The concept

Founder Hayden Seung Hee Lee

Where did the idea of Lab Pharmacy come from?

Since the pandemic, we have realised a gap in our healthcare system where our GPs are short of staff with an overflowing workload. It doesn't make sense and is a waste of talent when pharmacists are individual practitioners trained to provide clinical services with a broad scope of practice to purely focus on dispensing. As a result, we can offload some pressure and workload from GPs. In addition, pharmacists can provide services like immunisation, drug administration, and acute management, which ensures patients are seen and treated swiftly without any barriers. We implemented a ‘one roof’ healthcare system, where we work with patients and their primary practitioners to provide healthcare when needed. We are not the patient’s primary diagnostician but a triage service where we can treat specific conditions until your GP can review you.

Can you share the treatments you offer?

We offer advanced cosmetic and acute services. We can treat most acute non-urgent health conditions and provide patients with prescription medications if required. We operate an ear clinic with complete cerumen management services, including ear micro-suction. An infusion clinic with vitamin B and C, magnesium, and glutathione intravenous infusions. Also, our cosmetic clinic provides injectables such as dermal fillers, Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, medical peels, Cosmelan, MTS, skin boosters, Rejuran, an acne scar treatment, de-pigmentations, laser treatments and active medical-grade skincare.

Did you have to have extra training post-pharmacy to offer those services? 

Yes. I was trained to provide Phlebotomy (blood tests) and IV cannulations through the Manukau district health board and then completed my six-month supervised training. I started with learning cosmetics and dermatology as an area of passion, then decided to go to Korea to train in cosmetic medicine and lasers. Korea is the hub of Kbeauty as well as cosmetics and plastic surgery. So for eight weeks, I had one-on-one training with one of South Korea's top plastic and dermatology doctors, followed by supervised practice. I returned thinking I would need New Zealand training and accreditation, so I completed a cosmetic injectable course. After that, I returned to Korea for four further weeks of advanced cosmetic training. I have also completed my Lutronic Medical Laser training and New Zealand Laser training to provide a full range of medical laser treatments. We have one of the most advanced medical lasers in the country, with eight different laser machines for de-pigmentations, vascular, and skin tightening.

Cosmetic treatments

Pharmacist Hayden Seung Hee Lee performing a Xeomin treatment on style director Louise Hilsz.

There are many destinations for cosmetic treatments, such as lasers and injectables. However, the founder of Lab Pharmacy, Hayden Seung Hee Lee, is committed to offering affordable treatments. He and his team have a background in medicine, nursing, and urgent healthcare. Style Director Louise Hilsz was gifted a Xeomin service, where after a lengthy consultation, she received 34 units, around the lips, under the eyes and between the brows. Xeomin, Botox and Dysport at Lab Pharmacy cost $12 a unit.

How does Xeomin differ from Botox and Dysport?

Xeomin is the only neuromodulator on the market without any protein impurities. That means it’s pure ‘naked’ form without any additive proteins. This means it doesn’t build any antibody resistance so that you could use the same dose 20 years later. It also doesn’t spread as much compared to Botox and Dysport, reducing the chance of side effects in other muscles. 

Where can it be used?

It’s FDA and Medsafe approved for the treatment (cosmetically) of crow’s feet, frown lines and forehead lines. It can also be used off-label to treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorders to relieve pain) and sculpt the V-line jaw definition. Trapezius (neck and shoulder muscle) and superficial epidermal injections for skin tightening and pore reduction. 

Are there any risks?

When injecting incorrectly or overdoing certain areas, it can unintentionally affect other muscles causing unwanted side effects. In addition, bruising could occur, and a mild headache post-injection are listed as side effects.

What is your safety checklist for injectables?

I spend a reasonable amount of time chatting with my patients, understanding their wants and needs and looking carefully at their facial features and muscle movements. I also ensure I don’t overdo my treatments and ask my patients to return in two weeks for an adjustment or a complementary top-up if required. For any dermal filler treatments, we use a handheld ultrasound machine, so I can locate all the vascular structures to eliminate any side effects. Using this device, I can also see the supporting structures in the skin, and I can understand the anatomy of each patient’s facial structure for the best result. I also use ultrasound-guided injections with Xeomin in certain areas to get the safest and best results. 

Hilsz before and two weeks after

Do you think this pharmacy concept will become popular in New Zealand?

I think New Zealanders will appreciate our all-in-one accessible healthcare. You go to your GP and wait 20 minutes to be seen, then come to the pharmacy and wait another 20 minutes, then go for a blood test and wait another 20 minutes. At Lab Pharmacy, you can come under one roof and get your prescription medication while you get your blood test and any of the other services we offer and skincare advice. It will be a popular option, especially in rural areas.

Your skincare is premium and active; why did you choose those brands?

I did a lot of research to see what products would make a medical and cosmetic difference to my patients. So you can be assured I have purchased and tested many brands on the market. I first came across Mesoestetic and Medik8 in South Korea, where I trained. When I returned to New Zealand, I researched and found the brand was all about providing technological ways to deliver medical-grade products into your skin for maximum absorption. I think most companies spend a fortune formulating the best ingredients, but what's the point when they’re hardly absorbed? Both Mesoestetic and Medik8 deliver. 

What are you most excited about in the future?  

I'm passionate about sharing my expertise with my pharmacy colleagues so they can start offering these services at their pharmacies. I want a better funding model and structure in primary health care. I want to show Te Whatu Ora that our model works and to fund more pharmacies to implement this with only benefit New Zealanders.

Lab Pharmacy services are provided Monday to Sunday 365 days a year. They are partners with Southern Cross and NIB and provide pharmacy services on behalf of Te Whatu ora. Lab Pharmacy is MEDSAFE audited and approved. Contact details are HERE