NZ pharmacist prescribing
July 17, 2013
HEALTH authorities in NZ
claim the country is “leading
the way in Australasia,” after
having implemented pharmacist
prescribing before Australia.
NZ Associate Health Minister,
Todd McClay, confirmed that
clinical pharmacists will be able
to prescribe in New Zealand,
once they have completed a
new postgraduate certificate in
pharmacist prescribing and are
registered with the Pharmacy
Council of New Zealand.
“This move to allow pharmacist
prescribing is consistent with
the Government’s commitment
to support health practitioners
to work to their full capability
and improve patient access to
integrated health services,” he said.
“Prescribing is a natural extension
of the experienced clinical
pharmacist’s role, using their
extensive training and knowledge”.
Under the move, pharmacists
who have completed the
appropriate training will be able to
prescribe a range of medicines in a
defined area of practice, agreed to
with the collaborative health care
team in which they work.
McClay said this means they will
work closely with a patient’s doctor
to tailor and then better manage
the combination of medicines to
the individual’s needs.
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