The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand Wednesday 28 July 2010, 1:51PM
Media release from the Pharmacy Guild of New
Zealand
The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is welcoming
Health Workforce New Zealand's decision to fund up to 15 community
pharmacy pilot sites to provide anticoagulation therapy to
patients.
This anticoagulation management services project will allow
community pharmacists to play a greater role in managing patients
on long term warfarin therapy. They will have the authority to
modify warfarin prescriptions for stable patients in collaboration
with general practice.
"This project recognises the crucial role that community
pharmacists play as members of the primary health care team," says
Ian Johnson, Guild President and pharmacy owner. "The pilot will
provide a significant improvement in health outcomes for patients.
It will help patients better manage their condition and it also
means they only need to go to one place to receive the care they
need from the medicines experts."
Pilot sites will be established from October and pharmacies that
wish to be considered will need to meet certain prerequisites.
Selected pharmacists will undergo specific training and
assessment.