All news
-
Your Newsroom - Latest Edition
Read the latest weekly news from Society. (PSNZ Login required)
-
NZ Communities Need Minor Ailments Scheme (MAS) to Relieve System Pressure
Communities struggling to get access to health care need Te Whatu Ora to continue its Minor Ailments Scheme (MAS) to allow them to be treated for minor conditions in pharmacies across the motu, Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) President Rhiannon Braund said today.
-
World Pharmacists Day 2023
World Pharmacists Day is on 25 September. To celebrate the event, the Pharmaceutical Society interviewed a few of our members to learn more about their roles, challenges, and achievements in the pharmacy profession.
-
IT’S A WRAP! PHARMACISTS RE-CONNECTED AT THE ‘JUST BREATHE’ CONFERENCE
Each day, over 150 delegates from across the motu became immersed in a weekend of discussions, plenary sessions, networking opportunities, breakout sessions, awards dinner and much more, our National Conference ended on Sunday 18 June, and what a weekend it was! The 2023 Pharmaceutical Society ‘Just Breathe’ Conference took place at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in Auckland. Attendees ranged from students, pharmacists, technicians and healthcare providers to researchers and workers from the pharmaceutical industry.
-
CONGRATULATIONS TO PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR 2022 - BROOKE MCKAY
The Pharmaceutical Society has awarded Brooke McKay Pharmacist of the Year 2022. The Pharmacist of the Year award was first made in 2012 and recognises achievement by an individual pharmacist who has given outstanding service to the pharmacy profession and the New Zealand Health service.
-
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to Dr Sharon Gardiner and Marilyn Tucker who were the two recipients of our Fellowship Award 2022 and Dr Natalie Gauld who was the recipient for the Gold Medal Award.
The National Executive may designate as a Fellow of the Society any member who in their opinion has made an outstanding and significant contribution to the advancement of the practice of pharmacy in New Zealand.
Gold medals are pinnacle awards and there have only been 33 awarded in total.
-
Interview with Mariana Hudson
As Waitangi Day approaches, we would like to commemorate the event in a way that acknowledges Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā – The Māori Pharmacists’ Association (MPA), an organisation driven by its vision to lead the pharmacy sector to be responsive to the needs of Māori. MPA has been instrumental in ensuring the relevant New Zealand competency standards have been implemented for pharmacists relating to Hauora Māori (Māori Health), ultimately improving Māori Health outcomes.
We interview Mariana Hudson, President of Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā.
-
New Zealand Royal Honours 2023
Congratulations to the recipients of the New Zealand Royal Honours 2023
Bernard McKone and Dr Natalie Gauld are two previous National Executive members of the Pharmaceutical Society with longstanding involvement with the Society. Bernard (Bernie) McKone was the Society’s president from 2000 to 2005, and Dr Gauld served on the National Executive both as elected member and Office Holder from 2013 until 2021.
-
Minor Ailments
Responding to recent comments in the media on Health Minister Andrew Little’s suggestion that pharmacists could play an important role to provide treatment for minor ailments, the CEO for the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ), Richard Townley, said: “There are many examples in the community of minor ailments being treated by the patient’s healthcare team in the most effective and efficient way.”
-
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
Together we can keep antibiotics working
18 – 24 November 2022
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that puts the spotlight on the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is where microbes, like bacteria and viruses, evolve and become able to evade the medicines we use to treat infection.
-
COVID-19 Oral Antivirals for Pharmacist Only Supply
Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavir (Paxlovid™) and Molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) were recently reclassified from prescription-only medicine to pharmacist-only (restricted) medicine.
-
Recertification Requirements 2022 - 2023
Have you started on your recertification activities for this current recertification year? There is no time like the present! Get organised now and you will find recertification in March next year a breeze. The PSNZ recertification team are here to help you along the way.
-
New Years Honours Awarded
Don Griffin, the former head of the Central Institute of Technology pharmacy school, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours list announced recently.
-
Reflections from the PSNZ President
I was surprised and saddened to see recently that NZ Medical Association Board has recommended the initiation of liquidation, and it caused me to pause and reflect on what a Professional Organisation means in an environment where most health professionals cannot see past the patient in front of them to look towards a health profession’s future.
-
Governance, operations and training for Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians (PACTs) in New Zealand
We are excited to announce that from the 16th of May 2022, the Pharmaceutical Society has been designated responsibility for the governance, operations and training for PACTs in New Zealand.
-
A Call for Applications for 2022 - PSNZ National Executive
Join your Pharmaceutical Society National Executive as a Co-opted Member.
A Call for Applications for 2022 Early Career Pharmacists and Technicians is now open.Closing date: Friday 3 June 2022.
-
New - Early Career Pharmacists (ECP) Support Course
We are excited to announce the delivery of our promise to our Early Career Pharmacists. We've curated a suite of resources to support you through every step of your early career.
-
New - Workplace Resources
We are excited to announce the release of our business and HR resources for pharmacy. These resources will serve as a toolkit to help build and support your team.
-
My Learning Upgrade
MyLearning will be unavailable from 8am Thursday (20th January 2022) to 1pm Friday (21st January 2022).
-
Pharmacist awarded Royal Honour
Pharmacist Dr Linda Bryant has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to pharmacy and health in this year’s New Year Royal Honours list.
-
Titahi Bay pharmacist awarded Fellowship of Pharmaceutical Society
Amanda Lee Stanfield, owner of Titahi Bay Pharmacy in Porirua, has been awarded a Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand in 2021.
Fellowships are awarded for outstanding achievements and significant contribution to the advancement of pharmacy practice in New Zealand.
-
Pharmacy Technicians taking their careers to new heights
Pharmacy technicians play an essential role in the safe delivery of medications to patients in community pharmacies and in hospitals throughout New Zealand.
Tuesday 19 October is Pharmacy Technician Day. This year the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand is promoting the career opportunities that pharmacy technicians enjoy as part of the wider pharmacy team.
-
Health reforms: Wider role for pharmacists
To mark World Pharmacists Day on 25 September, the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand is calling for the Government to ensure a wider range of healthcare services are available at your local pharmacy.
According to Professor Rhiannon Braund, president of the Pharmaceutical Society, “enabling innovative pharmacy practice, and effectively utilising pharmacists’ skills, would improve health outcomes in New Zealand.”
“The Society will continue to work closely with the Government’s transition team to ensure this happens as part of the implementation of their reform of the health system,” says Braund.
-
Pharmacies and GPs supporting vaccine programme and ethnic communities
More than 250 members of Auckland’s Indian community had their Covid-19 vaccinations done at the Gurudwara Sikh Temple in Takanini on Saturday night.
The night clinic was organised by Unichem Pakuranga Pharmacy co-owner Vicky Chan and supported by the Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand.
-
Pharmacists on the frontline protecting Kiwis against COVID-19
There are now 167 pharmacy COVID-19 vaccination sites across New Zealand, with more coming on board every day.
Nationally, one million Kiwis are now fully vaccinated, and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins recognised the efforts of pharmacies, GPs, hospitals, hauora and community health centres which had “stepped up across the country” to administer the doses.
-
First pharmacy to deliver Covid vaccinations in Hawke’s Bay
On 3 August, Unichem Jeff Whittaker Pharmacy was the first pharmacy to provide a Covid vaccination in Hawke’s Bay.
Pharmacist Jeff Whittaker, who turns 81 this week, says, “It was a very proud day - to be given the opportunity to vaccinate for Covid.”
About 50 pharmacies up and down the country are already offering the vaccinations, and that number is growing all the time.
-
New president of Pacific Pharmacists’ Association
Following a successful Annual General Meeting on Thursday 5th August 2021, Diana Phone has been elected president of the Pacific Pharmacists’ Association Inc. NZ.
-
National plan launched to eliminate Hepatitis C
It’s the number one reason Kiwis need a liver transplant, and now a national plan has been launched to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030.
Clinics are popping up around the country today to provide free testing for the blood-borne disease, including at several pharmacies. -
Pharmacist’s significant contribution to the future of the profession
Roughly 3,400 pharmacist interns have passed through the EVOLVE Intern Training Programme under the guidance of Debbie Wallace.
The Society’s Chief Executive Richard Townley says, “Debbie made a very significant contribution to the future of the profession through her leadership of the EVOLVE programme over the past 15 years.”
-
Long-serving Christchurch pharmacist remembered
The pharmacy sector remembers the distinguished career of long-serving Christchurch pharmacist Peter Cooke who died of cancer on Sunday.
Pharmaceutical Society Chief Executive Richard Townley says Peter was well known and liked. "He was a good man and made a substantial contribution to pharmacy through the various leadership positions he held in the sector.”
-
Retired pharmacist from Temuka receives the Queen’s Service Medal
Mr Ronal (Ron) Luxton JP, retired pharmacist and long-time owner of Temuka Pharmacy, and chairperson of South Canterbury District Health Board, was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Mr Luxton has served the South Canterbury district by leading fundraising appeals, holding governance roles in the education and health sectors, and volunteering with Lions Clubs International on a regional, national and international level.
-
Budget 2021 “disappointing” for pharmacists
Pharmacists are “disappointed” that Budget 2021 contains no new funding initiatives to support the pharmacy profession to achieve quality patient outcomes.
President of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, Professor Rhiannon Braund, says “while it was anticipated that this would be a "slim" budget, it is disappointing that there is no provision of support for pharmacy healthcare services.”
-
Leading pharmacists honoured
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand would like to congratulate our 2021 award winners for their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the pharmacy profession.
Gold Medals have been awarded to Bernard (Bernie) McKone and Leanne Te Karu (Ngāti Rangi and Muaūpoko). A posthumous Fellowship has been awarded to Pamela (Pam) Duncan.
-
Government outlines plan to reform health system
This morning, Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health, announced the Government’s plan to reform our “overly complex and fragmented” health system.
The announcement was attended by our Chief Executive, President and Manager of Practice and Policy, who were also invited to attend an individual briefing session with members of the transition team, along with other “Tier One” representatives, directly after the announcement.
In his speech, the Minister promised to build a “single, nationwide health service.”
-
Health system under serious stress says Minister
Yesterday, the Pharmaceutical Society’s Chief Executive Richard Townley attended Parliament, along with other invited guests from the health sector, for an update from Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health, on health reforms being considered by Cabinet.
In his speech, the Minister provided an update on the case for change in the health system, outlining time frames for the high-level decisions being considered, following last year’s Health and Disability System Review.
-
2020 Fellowships
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand would like to congratulate all new 2020 Fellows for making outstanding and significant contributions to the advancement of the practice of pharmacy in New Zealand.
Jane ABEL, Arthur BAULD, Penelope CLARK, Desiree KUNAC, Dierdre MAGEE, and Pauline McQUOID have all been designated Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society.
-
New President of the Society
At the Pharmaceutical Society’s National Executive meeting on 26 November Professor Rhiannon Braund, University of Otago, was elected President
-
Whakatau for Kevin Pewhairangi
On Thursday 26 November, the Pharmaceutical Society hosted a whakatau to officially welcome the president of the Māori Pharmacists Association, Kevin Pewhairangi (Ngāti Porou), to join the Society’s National Executive.
-
Pharmacists welcome “sweeping reforms” of health system
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand welcomes the announcement by Health Minister Chris Hipkins that “sweeping reforms of the health sector will go ahead”, with the number of DHBs to be dramatically reduced.
The Society believes the biggest potential to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders is by improvements in the way primary and community services are organised.
-
Pharmacy Technicians’ important role in our healthcare system
Pharmacy Technician Day (20 October 2020) is a great time to reflect on the important role that pharmacy technicians play within the New Zealand healthcare system.
-
Pharmacist of the Year recognised for commitment to Māori and older adult health
Māori pharmacist Joanna Hikaka (Ngāruahine) has been announced as the winner of the Pharmacist of the Year Award 2019.
-
President of Maori Pharmacists Association appointed to Pharmaceutical Society’s National Executive
At its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 24 September 2020, the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand amended its rules to allow the appointment of the president of Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā (the Māori Pharmacists’ Association) to its National Executive, in addition to the seven elected members.
Ian McMichael, president of the Society says, “We believe that we can’t look to address equity issues unless we look at our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and accept Māori in a full partnership role.” -
World Pharmacists Day: Wider role for pharmacists would improve healthcare
According to the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand greater utilisation of the pharmacy workforce would improve primary healthcare in New Zealand.
As highlighted in the GP Workforce Survey, over the next five years, 27 percent of General Practitioners (GPs) intend to retire. Over the next 10 years, 47 percent intend to retire.
To mark World Pharmacists Day on 25 September the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand talked to doctors and pharmacists about what healthcare services pharmacists could provide which would make a big difference to improving healthcare in New Zealand.
-
Collaboration on World Pharmacists Day
World Pharmacists Day is 25 September. To celebrate the Pharmaceutical Society talked to doctors and pharmacists about how they are working together to transform the health of patients in their communities.
-
Health: Government should be thinking PHARMACY FIRST
The value proposition of the Pharmacy Profession for improving the Health and Wellbeing of New Zealand.
- More immunisation - Pharmacists will achieve immunisation rate targets.
- Better mental health - Pharmacists can provide specifically designed wrap around services for mental health and wellbeing in the community.
- More point of care testing/screening and medicines optimisation services - Pharmacists can provide convenient access to much needed healthcare services for the most vulnerable in the community, including the elderly, children, Māori and Pacific people and people managing chronic health conditions.
- New minor ailments and population health services - Pharmacists can provide access to healthcare services in the community, including treatment of minor ailments, and relevant population health services.
-
Pharmacists ask for support to provide more healthcare services
Pharmacists are calling for government support so they can provide wider healthcare services that are easy to access in the community.
Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to provide a wider range of healthcare services, for instance, a full range of vaccinations, medication reviews for more people, more point of care testing for patients on warfarin or with gout, and a special service for serious mental health patients in the community. -
Pharmacists back Stroke Foundation’s call for greater support
In a report released last week by the Stroke Foundation it is estimated 11,169 New Zealanders will experience a stroke this year, at a cost to the country of $1.1 billion.
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand agrees with the Stroke Foundation “that very little is being done to prevent strokes.”The Pharmaceutical Society is calling for more funding support from District Health Boards so people at risk of stroke can get their blood tests and warfarin medication from their local pharmacy.
-
People at risk of heart attack or stroke “missing out”
Too many people at risk of heart attack or stroke are “missing out” by not being able to get their blood tests and warfarin medication checked at their community pharmacy.
-
Annual Report 2019
The 2019 Annual Report outlines the Society’s key achievements over the past year and details progress against long-term goals.
The Society’s key role is to help shape the future of the pharmacy profession to achieve quality patient outcomes. For 2019 that has involved:
-
Pharmacist and health legend Paul Cressey dies in freak accident
Paul Cressey, described in the NZ Herald as “one of New Zealand's great health champions and reformers,” has died in a freak accident after tripping and hitting his head at a restaurant in Waiheke Island.
His obituary on the Stuff website, describes Cressey as a pharmacist who was instrumental in establishing Ronald McDonald houses in New Zealand, following the death of his son Carl from Leukaemia, aged nine.
-
Pharmacists support call for change to health system
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand welcomes the publication of the Health and Disability System Review final report and strongly supports the call for change in the country’s health system.
The Society agrees that the biggest potential to improve the health outcomes for those currently disadvantaged is by improvements in the way all primary and community services are organised.
-
Survey on proposed changes to recertification
The Pharmaceutical Society wants members to provide their opinions and feedback on the proposed changes to recertification announced by the Pharmacy Council last week.
-
Pacific Pharmacists’ Association addressing the 'information gap' for Pacific population
A Pacific Pharmacists’ Association (PPA) initiative headed by vice-president Diana Phone aims to address the “information gap” for Pacific populations and the public about accessing medicines and pharmacy services.
Information for Pacific people and the public in general about pharmacy services, medicines and COVID-19 is now available in a downloadable format from the Health Navigator website. The information has been translated into nine Pacific languages and is also available in English.
-
Pharmacists “on the frontlines” during COVID-19
Bronwen Shepherd and Aleisha Whyte, community pharmacists, share their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When New Zealand entered the highest restriction of COVID-19 lockdown (alert level 4), community pharmacy became one of only a handful of essential services allowed to remain open.
According to Bronwen Shepherd, community pharmacist from Wellington, “as the majority of the entire health system retreated, community pharmacy forged further into the frontlines.” -
Award-winning paper looks at benefits of pharmacist integration into general practice
Pharmacist and PhD candidate at the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy Robert Haua (Ngāi Te Rangi) has been awarded the School of Pharmacy Doctoral Publication Excellence award for his paper Pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand.
-
Retired pharmacists recognised with Queen’s Service Medals
Bevan and Margaret Bradding, retired pharmacists from Hamilton, both received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community as part of the Queen’s birthday honours.
The couple were recognised for their work with the Hamilton Group Riding for the Disabled (RDA), which they helped establish in 2004.
Mrs Bradding and her husband Bevan purchased the first horse for the Hamilton Group RDA and the couple continue to volunteer with RDA two days a week, helping in a range of ways.
-
Pharmacists in “ideal position” to help mental health patients
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand says community pharmacists are in an “ideal position” to help improve physical health outcomes for mental health patients.
-
Pharmacists call for extra funding for vulnerable populations
The Pharmaceutical Society, the professional body for all pharmacists, welcomes the Government’s announcement of $3.9 billion in extra funding for District Health boards in Budget 2020.
The Pharmaceutical Society is calling for District Health Boards to fund pharmacists to provide essential healthcare services for vulnerable populations as the New Zealand health system recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Calls for funded influenza vaccines for mental health patients
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, along with members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Equally Well collaborative, are urgently requesting that Pharmac reconsiders its decision to exclude people living with mental health and addiction issues from the eligibility criteria for funded influenza vaccines.
The underpinning principle of funded influenza vaccines are that they are free for people who are most likely to get very sick or be hospitalised if they catch influenza.
Yet despite the evidence of the much higher rates of physical illnesses and poorer physical health outcomes of people with mental health and addiction issues, this group continue to be excluded.
-
Government support package for pharmacists
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand is delighted that the government has moved quickly to provide an initial financial support package for pharmacy. The $15 million package was paid this week to pharmacy contract holders.
-
PSNZ Presidents message 3 April 2020
PSNZ President, Ian McMichael, addresses the pharmacy profession.
-
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanks pharmacists
At the end of her daily COVID-19 briefing on 31 March New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanked community pharmacists.
-
Pharmacists and doctors working together during COVID-19
Pharmacists and GPs in Tokoroa have been working together to try and meet the overwhelming public demand for medicines.
-
Looking after your mental health during COVID-19
There’s so much uncertainty around what’s going to happen with COVID-19 that people are understandably feeling anxious.
-
Support from Past Presidents
Past Presidents of PSNZ have expressed their support for pharmacists in an open letter to pharmacy.
-
A message from Society President, Ian McMichael
Society President Ian McMichael expresses support for pharmacy and members of PSNZ.
-
Pharmacists under pressure due to COVID-19
Pharmacies are an essential service and therefore will remain open throughout the Level 4 lockdown period.
The public are being asked to phone their pharmacy first before they visit, for both urgent and non-urgent needs.
-
COVID-19: Guidance provided by the Society for pharmacy
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation in New Zealand is evolving rapidly. The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand is aware of the need for pharmacy-specific guidance and are working on this as a matter of urgency with key health sector stakeholders.
-
Pharmacists to provide influenza vaccinations early due to COVID-19
Influenza vaccinations will be available from pharmacies early this year, as part of the Ministry of Health’s preparations for the potential impact of COVID-19 on the health sector.
Pharmacies will be able to provide free influenza vaccinations for eligible patients aged 13 and over from Wednesday 18 March.
-
2020 Primary Healthcare Award Winners
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand would like to congratulate all the winners of the 2020 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards.
The awards celebrate the outstanding work that is taking place throughout the primary care health sector in New Zealand.
-
Pharmacists to play key role in immunising against measles
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand welcomes the Government’s announcement today that a measles catch-up campaign is being launched on 1 April 2020 to strengthen New Zealand’s immunisation levels.
Pharmacists will play a key role in helping to immunise the targeted population (15-29-year olds) against measles, with those aged 16 and over now able to receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at selected pharmacies throughout New Zealand.