Government announces more funding for pharmacies to prescribe common treatments

An extension to pharmacy services that allows them to directly prescribe some common treatments is set for a funding boost, which the government says will help more New Zealanders get timely healthcare closer to home.

The Extended Pharmacy Services fund will be increased by $6.9 million.

In April, the government announced the Extended Pharmacy Services fund, which would allow community pharmacies to be able to directly provide some common funded medicines for children, as well as treatments for other common, lower-complexity conditions like scabies, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and the emergency contraceptive pill.

That proposal, which Health New Zealand had budgeted $5m for, has been in effect since the start of June.

Health minister Simeon Brown said the additional $6.9m funding would help reduce pressure on other parts of the health system.

Brown said community pharmacies were often the "front door" to the health system, and strengthening services would make it easier for people to access care earlier.

"We are backing the pharmacy workforce, expanding access to community-based services, and making it easier for New Zealanders to get the care they need, close to home," he said.

Health New Zealand has also agreed to a 3.16 percent increase to pharmacy service fees and pharmacy immunisation services.

"This funding boost will help pharmacies continue providing the services communities rely on every day, while supporting them to meet growing demand and deliver more healthcare services locally," Brown said.

Minutes from a meeting in April between Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, and pharmacy representative groups regarding the National Annual Agreement Review showed pharmacists were concerned that a Sustainable Funding Review had been delayed.

"An incremental annual uplift fails to recognise historic underfunding. Sustainability of community pharmacy is under threat, particularly as surcharging is not permitted," the report said.