For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Our prompt actions and national psyche brought success in COVID-19 elimination
+Practice
In print
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Our prompt actions and national psyche brought success in COVID-19 elimination
Wednesday 17 February 2021, 12:35 AM

In the Te Pae Māhutonga health model, the four central stars represent the four key tasks of health promotion, while the two pointers represent prerequisites for health promotion
Occupational health expert David McBride examines our early success in eliminating COVID-19 from New Zealand and how human behaviour will determine our future
Key points, New Zealand’s success in eliminating COVID-19 in 2020 came from prompt, harsh measures, including an early lockdown.
However, social coordination, , Pract Green w Pale Yellow
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
- Graham-McClay C. New Zealand in lockdown: a surreal experience when you can’t see the enemy. The Guardian, 26 March 2020. www.theguardian.com
- Cousins S. New Zealand eliminates COVID-19. Lancet 2020;395(10235):1474.
- Ministry of Health. Contact tracing for COVID-19. December 2020. www.health.govt.nz
- Cheng D. Covid 19 coronavirus: How often bubbles have been breached in MIQ (and how many people have been penalised). New Zealand Herald, 9 January 2021. www.nzherald.co.nz
- Every-Palmer S, Jenkins M, Gendall P, et al. Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and wellbeing in New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2020;15(11):e0241658.
- Durie M. Te Pae Māhutonga: A Model for Māori Health Promotion. October 1999. cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/TePaeMahutonga.pdf