The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) supports the acknowledgement of the vital role of community pharmacy, with the announcement today that community pharmacists will be funded to directly provide medicines for children and their families to treat common health conditions.
This proposal utilises $5 million of funding secured by the Guild in 2025 for nationally consistent pharmacy services, after we worked with senior Health New Zealand officials to secure improvements to the Integrated Community Pharmacy Services Agreement to better position community pharmacy for the future.
Community pharmacies are conveniently located throughout New Zealand, and are often open extended hours, enabling access close to home, with no need to make an appointment.
Health New Zealand is proposing that pharmacists be funded to provide medicines for children and their families for pain and fever management, oral rehydration, scabies, head lice, and conjunctivitis. The proposal also covers providing treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and emergency contraception.
This proposal will increase access to treatment, particularly in rural and remote areas, and lower healthcare costs for New Zealanders. The proposal was developed in conjunction with the Extended Pharmacy Services Working Group – which the Guild is a member of.
“Community pharmacies are the ideal access point for common health conditions treatment and other services that take pressure off general practice and hospitals. With so many patients struggling to access timely general practice appointments, pharmacies are well placed to support patients who would otherwise miss out or end up in the emergency department”, says Guild President, Kesh Naidoo-Rauf.
“Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and are already providing treatment and advice for these and many more common health conditions. It is great to see this role acknowledged and supported with government funding.
“We welcome the opportunity to provide further extended pharmacy services and continue supporting patients”, says Ms Naidoo-Rauf.