The New Zealand Government has declared a National State of Emergency to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle tragic devastation. If your pharmacy has been affected by the cyclone and you need any professional advice and support please do not hesitate to contact our practice team who will try to assist.
PHARMACY SPECIFIC RESOURCES
PHARMAC changes to support the response to Cyclone Gabrielle
PHARMAC has implemented some changes to discretionary dispensing and the supply of medicines under Rural PSO's to support the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Further details can be found on their website.
IMAC Vaccine cold chain guidance for Cyclone Gabrielle
IMAC have published cold chain guidance for providers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle:
Cyclone Gabrielle and your vaccine cold chain - IMAC - 17 February 2023
Te Whatu Ora funding primary healthcare delivery in affected regions
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand is helping people impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle to get easier access to healthcare by funding a range of primary care initiatives across pharmacies, clinical telehealth and general practices.
Information on current funded initiatives is in their latest press release.
Te Whatu Ora TXT 2 Call - 3718 support service
Te Whatu Ora is providing a text to call support service for frontline pharmacy staff in areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Read more about the service here.
Te Whatu Ora prescription co-payment waiver during Cyclone Gabrielle - EXTENDED till 10 April 2023
Displaced people, and people unable to return to Te Whatu Ora districts Hawke’s Bay, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, Tararua and Northland
Until 10 April 2023 at 11:59pm prescription co-payments do not need to be collected by community pharmacies from people displaced from, and people unable to return to their usual home or residence in the Te Whatu Ora districts of Hawke’s Bay, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, Tararua and Northland. People in small communities who are cut off or isolated in the Hawke's Bay are also covered.
Pharmacists should code exempted prescriptions as X4 (= A4 exempt)
Medsafe guidance to pharmacies regarding emergency supply of medicines - ALL NOW EXPIRED
Medsafe granted extensions to medicine emergency supply provisions for affected Te Whatu Ora districts as listed below. The table shows when they are due to expire or if they have already expired.
- Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay - began 14 February 2023 - now expired
- Waikato - began 15 February 2023 - now expired
- Te Tai Tokerau Northland - began 15 February 2023 - now expired
- Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitematā - began 16 February 2023 - now expired
- Bay of Plenty - began 16 February 2023 - now expired
- Tairāwhiti - began 16 February 2023 - now expired
- Tararua MidCentral (applies only to Dannevirke Pharmacy) - began 16 February 2023 - now expired
- Taraura MidCentral (applies only to Central Fielding Pharmacy and Fielding Health Pharmacy) - began 17 February 2023 - now expired
- Lakes District - began 17 February 2023 - now expired
- Tararua MidCentral (applies to Pahiatua Pharmacy) - began 17 February 2023 - now expired
This table shows a summary of guidance on the emergency supply of medicines issued by Medsafe:
District |
Issue date |
Expiry date |
Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay |
14 February 2023 (updated 14 March 2023) |
21 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Waikato |
14 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Te Tai Tokerau Northland |
15 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitematā |
16 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Bay of Plenty |
16 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Tairāwhiti |
16 February 2023 (updated 14 March 2023) |
21 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral (applies only to Dannevirke Pharmacy) |
16 February 2023 (updated 14 March 2023) |
21 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral (applies only to Central Feilding Pharmacy and Feilding Health Pharmacy) |
17 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Lakes District |
17 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral (applies only to Pahiatua Pharmacy) |
17 February 2023 (updated 28 February 2023) |
7 March 2023 - EXPIRED |
GENERAL
BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL
TE WHATU ORA - HEALTH NEW ZEALAND
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
These difficult times can serve as a reminder that it is important to make emergency plans so you know what to do when an emergency happens. As a member of the Society, you have access to emergency response planning documents developed by the Society and fellow pharmacists to assist with disaster planning, and Emergency Guidelines for Pharmacies developed by the FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation).
PSNZ Emergency response planning workbook
PSNZ Emergency response and business continuity plan template
FIP Responding to disasters - Guidelines for pharmacy - 2016
