Some funded medications for children under 14 could be available over the pharmacy counter under a Government proposal. Photo / 123rf
Some funded medications for children under 14 could be available over the pharmacy counter under a Government proposal. Photo / 123rf
Government-funded medication for children may soon be available in Whanganui pharmacies, easing “bottleneck environments” in the health system.
On April 15, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced a proposal for pharmacists to supply medicines for those under 14 for pain and fever management, oral rehydration and common conditions such as scabies,head lice and conjunctivitis.
Women under 25 would be eligible for emergency contraception, and women aged 16 to 65 could access medicine for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Marton Pharmacy owner Daniel Choi said his store already offered most of the proposed services.
“I guess the only difference is that the Government is providing funding for the patients and, hopefully, the providers as well,” he said.
“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.”
Whanganui Regional Health Network chief executive Judith MacDonald says there is workforce pressure in several disciplines, including pharmacy. Photo / NZME
He said Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora had established a $5 million annual fund to help ensure the services were available nationwide.
MacDonald said, as a consumer, she believed the more that people could access care outside “bottleneck environments” such as clinics and emergency departments, the better.
Shannon Burroughs, manager of Eliza’s Pharmacy in Waverley and Wicksteed Pharmacy in central Whanganui, said Waverley’s only GP clinic was open one day a week for set hours.
“For that pharmacy, this [proposal] is exciting,” she said.
“People are coming in to buy these products over the counter and it is good that they’ll now be able to get those funded. It reduces barriers.”
Burroughs said more information was needed about reimbursement and expectations of pharmacists.
“Will we have to sit down and write an invoice to get paid for the services we’ve provided?”
MacDonald said there was workforce pressure in several disciplines, including pharmacy.
Last month, the Chronicle reported the Woolworths Victoria Ave pharmacy was closing because it could not find a local pharmacist, and Bargain Chemist had become Bargain Plus for the same reason.
MacDonald said her father recently picked up medicine from a pharmacy and was also able to get influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations.
“It’s a really good outcome for someone who potentially may have had to sit in a practice next to someone with pneumonia or a bug.
“Having immediate access outside the clogged-up health system is a good thing.”
Health NZ and Pharmac are consulting on the proposal until April 30. A submission form is available online.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.
