Community Pharmacy Leaders Forum meets with Health Minister

This morning the Community Pharmacy Leaders Forum (CPLF) met with Health Minister Dr David Clark.

CPLF was delighted to receive a meeting invitation from the Minister last week and are impressed with his genuine interest in the pharmacy sector and the work that community pharmacies are doing for their patients.

CPLF Chair, Graeme Blanchard, said “The meeting was very much focused on how community pharmacy can deliver on the Pharmacy Action Plan through service delivery and through pharmacists being enabled to work at the top of scope.

“The Minister was interested in hearing about local initiatives and services that were putting patients at the core of their foundation. He also expressed interest in lifting the profile of clinical pharmacy services and advice, and adapting to change within our current systems as technology advances.

“The Minister welcomed open dialogue and feedback from us. We were able to articulate how CPLF, as the leaders of our sector, collectively endorse a national community pharmacy services model that provides equitable access to effective and safe patient services for all New Zealanders, while allowing additional targeting to higher patient needs at a local level.

“While this was CPLF’s first meeting with the Minister we hope that this will be the beginning of an ongoing conversation and a positive and constructive relationship. We are extremely grateful for the Minister’s time despite the immense pressure his other responsibilities had placed on him today.

“CPLF has left this meeting with confirmed confidence in our Health Minister. We can assure the sector that Hon Dr David Clark sees value in community pharmacy playing a greater role within primary health care and that he is engaged and listening.”

ENDS

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