Yesterday’s Budget was something of a lolly scramble for the health portfolio, but among the announcements was that New Zealanders would soon be able to receive 12-month prescriptions for their medicines.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the Budget allocated $91 million over four years to support this change.
"While patients will still collect their medication from a pharmacy every three months, they will no longer need to return to their doctor for a new prescription each time."
Roslyn Pharmacy owner Andy Hou said he was surprised by the announcement, and wondered whether it could have unintended consequences.
"Let’s say a GP issues you a 12-month prescription and your blood pressure is fine in January.
"And then say in February, your blood pressure shoots up extremely high, nobody knows - you’re not seeing a doctor again for 12 months and your blood pressure tablet dose doesn’t change either. That’s a stroke or a heart attack waiting to happen."
While he acknowledged the costs of medicines and GPs visits, Mr Hou said he did not think the system was "particularly broken" when it came to picking up medicines from the pharmacy.
"If there’s any way we as pharmacists can help maintain the check-up side of things, that would be great.
"If we’re looking at blood pressure, it’s easy enough to say, well, hey, your blood pressure is this right now."
Mr Brown said the change would also help GPs and other health professionals better manage patients with long-term conditions.
"Instead of spending time on routine repeat prescriptions, they can focus more on supporting those with complex or deteriorating health needs."
