The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) supports the further expansion of the Extended Pharmacy Service and its acknowledgement of the vital role of community pharmacy and skills and training of community pharmacists.
Today the service is expanded to include:
- Minor bacterial skin infections
- Minor fungal skin infections
- Mild dermatitis
- Acute uncomplicated oral thrush
- Acute uncomplicated vaginal thrush
- Selected oral contraception
- An expanded age range for the existing emergency contraception service
“The Extended Pharmacy Service has already increased access to healthcare and lowered costs for New Zealanders. We are delighted to see this recognised with further services added and available to our patients”, says Guild President, Kesh Naidoo-Rauf.
“Community pharmacies are conveniently located throughout New Zealand, including in rural and remote areas. Pharmacies are often open when other health providers aren’t, enabling patients to access healthcare close to home.
“Community pharmacies are the ideal access point for advice and treatment of common health conditions, especially with many patients struggling to access timely general practice appointments.
“Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and are already providing advice and treatment for these newly added conditions along with many more. It is great to see this role acknowledged, expanded, and supported with government funding. We look forward to continued expansion of the service in the future”, says Ms Naidoo-Rauf.