Easier to access medicines

Tauranga Hospital clinical pharmacist Pauline McQuoid with patient Gobi Bennett is one of two new pharmacist prescribers in the Western Bay of Plenty given more power to treat people. Photo / John Borren

New rules that allow specially trained pharmacists to prescribe medication could save patients hundreds of dollars in doctors' fees but medical practitioners say the change could affect patient wellbeing.

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced the introduction of 14 pharmacist prescribers nationwide, including two in the Western Bay of Plenty area.

Tauranga Hospital clinical pharmacist Pauline McQuoid and Te Puke pharmacist Carolyn Woolerton can now prescribe new or different medication to patients if part of an agreed plan with the medical practitioner, plus order and check laboratory test results as well as vaccinate people.

Patients no longer need to visit their doctor for vaccinations or top-ups on their medication and Western Bay of Plenty patients could save up to $44 a visit in GP fees, as the service is free.

Tauranga Budget Advisory Service co-ordinator Diane Bruin said it was a great opportunity, as GP fees could chew up a significant part of a person's budget.

"As long as it's all legitimate, I would welcome that," she said.

But a position statement from the New Zealand Medical Association stated it strongly opposed a designated prescribing model involving anyone other than a medical practitioner administering management of a patient's treatment.

Chairman Dr Mark Peterson told the Bay of Plenty Times there was concern pharmacists could prescribe medication without full patient history or information, such as GP patient notes.

Although prescribers must be members of a health care team working with an appointed medical practitioner, Dr Peterson was sceptical.

"We are a little concerned that that is not actually happening as it should."

Tauranga GP John Gemming said he took issue with more people given prescribing rights if they were not aware of patient history.

Dr Gemming said there needed to be a combined information service prescribers and practitioners could reference to or there could be serious ramifications.

Dr Gemming said the current system was fragmented, "much more than it needs to be".

Ms McQuoid said prescriptions were agreed in close collaboration with the patient's medical practice, which retained primary responsibility for a person's diagnosis and management.

"Part of our current role involves ensuring the medicines people take are working as well as they can and are not causing problems.

"Being able to visit patients in their homes gives us valuable insight into how patients are coping with their medicines," Ms McQuoid said.

"We also help high-needs patients with the transition from hospital to the home, especially if there have been a lot of changes to the medicines.

"This can be a confusing time for patients and we can ensure that patients know what to take and what to stop, according to the hospital discharge plan."

Mr Ryall said around half of patients did not take the right dose of their medicine at the right time.