Expanded role for pharmacists announced

Community pharmacists will be able to directly provide some common funded medicines for children, under a new Health New Zealand proposal.

The proposal would mean pharmacists were able to assess a patient, provide a consultation, and supply a treatment, similar to a general practitioner visit.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the proposal was about making better use of community pharmacies as an option for treating straightforward conditions.

"This means treatment can be provided at a lower cost, rather than paying full over-the-counter prices, or without waiting for a GP appointment," Brown said.

"It will make it easier for children and families to get timely care for simple conditions, particularly when a GP appointment isn't immediately available, while also supporting more consistent access to care across the country."

Health New Zealand had budgeted $5 million for the changes nationwide, which would be up and running from June.

Pharmac's consultation on the proposal begins on Wednesday, and would allow pharmacists to directly provide:

• Treatment for scabies
• Oral rehydration for children
• Pain and fever management for children
• Treatment of headlice
• Treatment for conjunctivitis for children

Brown said a family with three children could currently be paying up to $100 for headlice shampoo over-the-counter from a pharmacy, but under the proposal it would be the $5 subsidised rate, or free with a Community Services Card.

"That's a significant saving, but also the time that is saved without having to go to a GP to get an appointment and wait," he said.

"You can come into a community pharmacist close to where you live, be seen, and receive your treatment, all within a matter of hours, if not minutes."

The proposal would also allow pharmacists to directly provide treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and the emergency contraceptive pill.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour said people living in rural and remote areas, or in communities with higher health needs, were finding it difficult to get a timely GP appointment.

"The proposed changes would enable Direct Provision of already funded medicines by Pharmacists as part of provision of Health New Zealand funded Extended Pharmacy Services, in accordance with their pharmacy agreement," Seymour said.

Seymour, who holds ministerial responsibility for Pharmac, said the drug-buying agency would update its Pharmaceutical Schedule to support the changes.

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Green Cross Health, which owns Unichem and Life Pharmacy, was in talks with a potential buyer for its separate medical division.

Asked whether they were concerned about potential job losses, Brown said it was a commercial decision for Green Cross, and the government's announcement was about supporting community pharmacists up and down the country.

Seymour said too many community pharmacists were closing down, and the proposal was a "win, win, win" for pharmacists, patients, and the health system.

"That's a huge loss for communities up and down this country. This gives more opportunity for pharmacists to use their skills, and in return, draw more people in and attract more revenue, while taking pressure off the GPs and emergency departments."

Decision welcomed by PSNZ

Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) president Michael Hammond said it was great to see the government funding extended services nationwide.

"We know too many people are waiting too long to see a GP, New Zealanders will soon be able to access funded care for a number of health conditions direct from the pharmacy. This is particularly important in rural and high needs areas across the country.

"Pharmacists are highly skilled health professionals and community pharmacies offer timely access to care for New Zealanders. This proposal is good news for the sector.

"We want pharmacy to be funded appropriately for the services it delivers to patients, with a move towards funding for more clinical services. Today's announcement is a positive step in that direction."

Meanwhile, a Northland pharmacist said it could be a lifeline for community pharmacies.

Mangawhai Pharmacy's Lanny Wong told Checkpoint the scheme could help small pharmacies compete against big-box chemists.

"For community pharmacies that are already doing this type of work this is absolutely good news and if they fund our consultation time ... this is a big win for us.

"So that means we're actually finally getting paid for our expertise and our time we spend talking to our patients."

Wong said the proposal would improve access to treatment by making it more affordable.

However, she said the scheme would be ineffective without a workforce to deliver it.

"We all support the initiative but we do need proper support and proper governance in pharmacy services, training and infrastructure, otherwise ... this risks being a service that can be delivered in the big cities and is unreachable by rural and regional communities."

-By RNZ