Pharmacists briefed on the future of pharmacy

01 August 2008

Media Release

Christchurch pharmacists briefed on the future of pharmacy

Widely held concerns amongst pharmacists about the financial viability of community pharmacy were discussed at a meeting with Pharmacy Guild
Chief Executive Annabel Young in Christchurch yesterday. Ms Young addressed a group of around forty local pharmacists who braved the wet weather conditions to be briefed on the future of pharmacy services outside the hospital environment.

"Community pharmacy is a public private partnership - pharmacies being a private infrastructure delivering a public good. Strengthening this partnership is in the interest of both DHBs and Ministers." said Young

"Many community pharmacists in the Christchurch region expressed grave concern about the viability of their pharmacies." says local Guild Chairman and owner of Stay Well Pharmacy Mark Webster.

Ms Young said the Guild is about to release a 'Pharmacy Translation Kit' which is a good example of what Guild members contribute to the delivery of good pharmacy services. The Pharmacy Translation Kit provides words and phrases relating to health and medicines advice in seven different languages.

"The Pharmacy Translation Kit has been designed by the Guild to assist pharmacists in communicating with their non-English speaking customers."

"We are very excited about it and we think it will make a real difference to improving patient care to these groups." says Ms Young.

Also discussed at the meeting was the need for the Guild and pharmacists to take a multi-level approach to relationship building, ensuring that both politicians and bureaucrats are fully informed of the issues affecting community pharmacy.

ENDS

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