MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2008
Pharmacy gives early briefing to incoming Health Minister
The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand has released its briefing on community pharmacy to the Minister of Health today.
The Guild is releasing the briefing at this time as it’s likely a newly appointed Minister will be overwhelmed with
paperwork from health officials following Saturday’s election. And, there’s no guarantee that they will remember the
critical role that community pharmacy plays in primary health care, according to Guild Chief Executive Annabel Young.
“Community pharmacy has been left off the health policy radar for far too long and we are not willing to chance that
health officials will brief the Minister adequately. That’s why we’ve put together this briefing.”
“The Minister of Health will need to know about the immense opportunities that exist for community pharmacists in
primary health care.”
“Currently community pharmacists are severely under-utilised in our health system and New Zealanders are missing out on
better access to health services because of it.” says Ms Young.
The Guild’s briefing to the Minister of Health is also available on their website www.pgnz.org.nz
ENDS