Guild looks forward to working with new Health Minister

MEDIA RELEASE

8 October 2014

Guild looks forward to working with new Health Minister

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) welcomes Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman to his new role as Minister of Health and looks forward to working with him in the near future to continue to progress the role of community pharmacy in the primary health care setting.

The Guild has enjoyed good working relationships with past Ministers and looks forward to continuing this relationship with Hon Dr Coleman who has previously been an Associate Health Minister, and has significant experience working within the health sector.

Hon Dr Coleman has said he intends to follow in Tony Ryall's footsteps, taking a slow but steady approach towards managing the health portfolio and the Guild welcomes this stability.

He has also indicated that he will focus on the long-term challenges of diabetes and obesity.

Guild Chief Executive, Lee Hohaia says “Community pharmacy is well placed to provide advice and support in these areas of health care and we hope that the Minister will consider what community pharmacy has to offer when addressing these challenges. Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to provide professional and affordable health care to these at risk groups without the need for an appointment. Many pharmacies also provide an extended or after-hours service which supports the total health sector.

“A number of pharmacies already provide a pre-diabetes screening service and help patients with diabetes to effectively manage their medicine adherence through the Long Term Conditions and Medicine Use Review pharmacy services. Many pharmacies also offer specialised weight loss clinics and pharmacy-only weight loss supplements and programmes.

“The Guild also looks forward to working with the new Health Minister to further develop pharmacy’s triage and navigator role, increase patient services and demonstrate community pharmacy’s role as a professional and accessible health care service within our communities.

“We wish Hon Dr Coleman all the best in this complex role supporting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders”.

ENDS

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