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
Wrapped in their tourist town: Team with an ‘ear to the ground’ can almost do it all
Wrapped in their tourist town: Team with an ‘ear to the ground’ can almost do it all

Zahra Shahtahmasebi checks in with the tourist town health centre that made a name for itself responding to the 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes. The small town of Kaikōura has only one general practice – Kaikōura Healthcare just off State Highway 1 on Deal Street. The town has a population of just under 4000 people – but many more during the tourist seasons.
The Kaikōura Healthcare team pictured above includes: Suzanne Cuff, Chris Henry, Alectra Allen, Liz Adams, Jo Hewson, Pippa Harrison, Deanne Nicholl, Julia Smedley, Susie Milne, Steve Howie, Angela Blunt, Michelle Ormsby, Natalie Cadzow, Moana Manawatu, Frances Nixon, Deb Reardon, Madeleine Sommerville, Andrea Judd, Meriana Manawatu-Harris
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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