Frontline pharmacists welcome Minister’s review

MEDIA RELEASE
28 January 2009

Frontline pharmacists welcome Minister’s review

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand is welcoming the Minister of Health’s new taskforce set to review quality and performance of the public health system

‘We hope that the taskforce will take a wider view and recognise the role community pharmacists play in frontline health care and their potential to do more in this area.

“GPs have become bogged down with minor health concerns that often could be dealt with more efficiently and effectively by community pharmacists. Overseas, the model where pharmacists are contracted by health authorities to provide a free service of diagnosis and treatment of minor health problems is proving very successful.”

‘We recommend the taskforce takes a serious look at this model as it is already delivering significant health and financial gains elsewhere.” says Guild Chief Executive Annabel Young.

ENDS

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