Pharmacists can provide more primary care services

MEDIA RELEASE

3 September 2009

Pharmacists well placed to provide further primary health care services 

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) welcomes Health Minister Tony Ryall’s statement calling for Expressions of Interest from primary health care organisations capable of delivering a wider range of services to communities.

The Guild knows that community pharmacists are perfectly placed to provide better access to a wide range of health services closer to home. 

“Community pharmacists are significantly underutilised in the current health system and have the potential to increase efficiency and improve outcomes for patients. Medicines use reviews, treatment for minor ailments, and management of chronic conditions are just some of the services that could be provided in the local pharmacy setting and are already being done by pharmacists overseas, ” says Annabel Young, CEO of the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand.

Community pharmacists already provide a wide range of health services in a primary care setting on an adhoc basis which reduces the demand on hospitals. Pharmacists are also able to contribute to the achievement of national health targets and can easily demonstrate a commitment to continuing service improvement and development to better meet the needs of communities.

The Minister has previously stated in the media that pharmacists’ are an “under-used tool” and can contribute significantly to primary health care. “The Minister agrees and supports the idea that pharmacists can play a greater role in providing primary health care,” says Ms Young.  

The Guild congratulates the Health Minister on his understanding of the sector and will be responding to the Expressions of Interest.
 

ENDS

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