Cyclone Gabrielle

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 - ALL NOW EXPIRED

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.

    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

    CIVIL DEFENCE 

    WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL

    NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL

    BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL

    GISBORNE DISTRICT COUNCIL

    TARARUA DISTRICT COUNCIL

    AUCKLAND 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