Concern about funding shortfalls impact on patients

Guild concerned about impact on patients if funding shortfall remains

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is concerned about the impact the current funding shortfall to community pharmacy will have on patients if left unaddressed.

For some time now community pharmacy has been indicating to funders that the current funding model does not support service provision or the sustainability of patient services. Additionally community pharmacy is dispensing medicine which costs them more than they are paid. Currently 5 out of 10 medicines are dispensed at a net loss and this continues to grow.

Guild Chief Executive, Lee Hohaia says “The pressure is taking its toll on community pharmacy as costs continue to rise and they are asked to provide more for less, without any real solution in sight as to how the current funding shortfall will be addressed.

“We remain concerned that ultimately services to patients will be impacted. Pharmacies may hold a smaller range of medicine in stock and patients may have to wait longer for their medicine if they are prescribed a less frequently used medicine. Additionally, while the sustainability and viability of pharmacy is threatened, pharmacies are being forced to reduce opening hours, staff numbers and reduce access to services that are highly valued by our communities.

“Recently this impact on patients was evident in the Wairarapa where local community pharmacies are no longer able to absorb the cost of offering after-hours services.

“Community pharmacy has always put the health and wellbeing of their patients first and they want to enhance and expand on the current services they provide to their communities rather than reduce them. However they cannot continue to operate at a loss.

“To ensure that patients are able to continue to access pharmacy services in their communities, and that their health and safety is not put at risk, it is essential that this funding shortfall is addressed immediately.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media