February 2022

PHARMAC HAS HALTED a proposal to extend the supply periods for Class B controlled drugs at the request of the Ministry of Health. 

Kia ora koutou, let’s all take a big, deep breath – holding hands is optional – and get ready for 2022.

Pharmacies may have to wait until New Zealand enters phase three of its response to the Omicron variant COVID- 19 outbreak before they can supply rapid antigen tests to the public.

Pharmacy owners are concerned that more interns than usual failed their assessments last year, meaning a smaller influx of much-needed talent into the struggling workforce.

Pharmaceutical Society president Professor Rhiannon Braund’s message to the sector on preparing for the Omicron outbreak is clear: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

A “perfect storm” of events descended on pharmacists in Australia before Christmas and so far there’s been no let-up, says Brisbane pharmacist Chris Campbell, who is also the Pharmaceutical Society Australia’s general manager policy and engagement.

Aotearoa's shift to red in the traffic light system a week after the launch of the paediatric COVID-19 vaccination rollout fuelled a boom in demand for booster shots in conjunction with an onslaught of children requiring their first.

One of the architects of an overhaul of the health system believes pharmacists in the future will play a greater role in vaccination and treating minor health conditions in the community.

Health minister Andrew Little still has no plans to take action on removing the $5 copayment, although he now says it is an issue the Government will inevitably have to address.

Despite having a prestigious career spanning more than 40 years at the forefront of developments in New Zealand pharmacy, Linda Bryant was still surprised when she received a New Year Honour this year.