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
Consultation on proposed prescription medicines list for designated podiatrist prescribers: Analysis of submissions
Consultation on proposed prescription medicines list for designated podiatrist prescribers: Analysis of submissions

In May 2025 podiatrists who have undertaken appropriate training were granted designated prescribing authority under the ‘Medicines (Designated Prescriber-Podiatrist) Regulations 2025’.
The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry), on behalf of the Director-General of Health, working with the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand, is responsible for establishing a list of specified prescription medicines that designated podiatrist prescribers can prescribe from.
In developing the list of specified prescription medicines, the Director-General must consult with those organisations or bodies that appear to the Director-General to be representative of persons likely to be substantially affected by the publication of the list of specified prescription medicines.
The Ministry undertook a consultation on the Podiatrists Board’s proposed specified prescription medicines list from 13 November to 20 December 2024. This Report provides details on the process to arrive at the list of prescription medicines considered appropriate for designated podiatrist prescribers.