Medicines and Therapies

Far from the guidance and support of pharmacists and other health professionals, small groups of athletes and gym-goers are importing illicit and potentially dangerous substances in the hope of getting big, looking lean and improving sporting performance

It’s been a turbulent year for Medsafe, as latest figures show the authority conducted 108 audits on pharmacies across New Zealand before the global pandemic quickly derailed almost all pharmacy audits for months  

Reporter Anna Lee talks to pharmacy auditor Tony Cox about his work and how auditors are trying to help, not hinder, pharmacists

The right of Māori to experience equitable health outcomes in relation to medicine review services must be realised by improving Māori older adults’ autonomy and control and by better use of pharmacists’ skills, according to the latest research by clinical pharmacist Jo Hikaka 

Pharmac has funded a new brand of oestradiol patches in an attempt to ease the long-running shortage of the hormone replacement therapy product which is causing problems for pharmacies and their patients

Kiwis who use codeine-containing medicines to manage strong pain must see their doctor for a prescription to access this medication from Thursday, November 5, 2020

A 24-year longitudinal study of 45,000 south Auckland patients estimates there are almost 19,000 extra deaths annually among Māori with type 2 diabetes

Christchurch pharmacist Simon James Blue, who "misappropriated" nearly 7000 Ritalin tablets, has been censured and ordered to pay over $8000 after he practised without an Annual Practising Certificate

All seven Auckland PHOs and Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa have attacked Pharmac’s drug funding proposal for new diabetes drugs, claiming restrictions will hurt Māori and Pasifika

The Pharmaceutical Schedule has been updated to allow pharmacist prescribers to apply for special authority to prescribe specific restricted medicines from today