December 2019

New words have come within the scope of pharmacists and the list is still growing, writes Pharmaceutical Society president Ian McMichael

With intense competition from discounters entering the market, law changes enabling pharmacists to vaccinate for measles and prescribe melatonin to insomnia patients, 2019 has been a tumultuous year for pharmacy in New Zealand. But there is even greater change yet to come. Pharmacy Today reporter Jonathan Chilton-Towle rounds up four impending legislative and regulatory changes expected for 2020 

The availability of pharmaco­genomic testing is limited in New Zealand, but a University of Otago study points to its efficacy for psychiatric drugs in particular

The newly formed In­dependent Pharmacists Association of New Zealand has a new president, Auckland pharmacist Danni Yu. 

Pharmacy trailblazer John Dunlop has retired, having finished his term on the Pharmaceutical Society board and written his last column for Pharmacy Today. 

The number of GPs using electronic prescribing has doubled, but general practice still lags behind the number of pharmacy users

From serving as a military pharmacist on a UN mission to Cambodia, to running a community pharmacy in one of New Zealand’s most deprived communities, to being elected Pharmacy Guild president – Cameron Monteith has had a varied and interesting pharmacy career. Pharmacy Today reporter Jonathan Chilton-Towle speaks to Cameron about his life and the future direction he sees for the pharmacy sector

The migraine treatment Cafergot (AFT Pharmaceuticals) will no longer be approved for use in New Zealand from May next year

The New Zealand Hospital Pharmacists’ Association conference was held in Auckland from 8-10 November, attracting 173 delegates. Pharmacy Today journalist Angela Woods reports

Compassion is crucial, but it’s not as simple as turning on a switch, psychiatrist Tony Fernando told the NZHPA conference