Support From Pharmacy Body Welcomed By Guild

Support From Independent Pharmacy Body Welcomed By Guild

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is delighted that the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (the Council) supports community pharmacists in seeking adequate financial compensation for their input into the recent spate of medicine recalls.

Today Council Chair Carolyn Oakley-Brown released a statement stating that although their position on medicines recalls it that the over-riding concern must be patient safety, recalls impose a considerable burden on pharmacists and the Council supports pharmacists seeking “adequate financial compensation for their input”.

This statement is in reaction to yesterday’s patient level recall by Mylan NZ of all strengths of Pacific Atenolol tablets. This is the fourth medicine recall this year and will affect an estimated 43,000 patients throughout New Zealand. Mylan NZ are asking community pharmacists to contact each patient who has been dispensed this medicine since 1 January 2010, in addition to the patient level recall of Pacific Atenolol 50mg tablets on 13 May.

“The Guild is very pleased that the Council – which has the duty to protect the public and promote good pharmacist practice – has come out in support of pharmacists seeking compensation for the time and expertise involved in medicine recalls,” says Annabel Young, Guild CE.

“This show of support from the Council reaffirms our view that clear procedures are needed to manage recalls and that sector agreement is crucial to how pharmacy - or any other health professional - is to be compensated for the time involved in managing recalls.”

ENDS

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