Appointment of pharmacy-focused Chief Advisor welcomed

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is pleased to hear of the creation of a pharmacy-focused Chief Advisor at the Ministry of Health, and the appointment of Andi Shirtcliffe into the role.

The Guild believes that the move indicates a renewed commitment by the Government to ensuring that community pharmacy is recognised as central to the provision of, and access to, health care in New Zealand.

The Guild fully supports the Chief Advisors aim of increasing the focus on pharmacy across the Ministrys work streams, as well as facilitating pharmacy-related innovation and improvements driven by patient care throughout the country.

Community pharmacists are an accessible group of health professionals, able to provide expert care in their local communities, as well as develop initiatives that meet and contribute to the Ministry of Healths goal for "Better, sooner, more convenient" health care.

Guild Chief Executive, Lee Hohaia, said of the appointment: "The creation of a pharmacy-specific advisor role at the Ministry will provide an important benefit for the health sector as a whole. It shows investment in the future of pharmacy, and I have no doubt that Andi will make a significant contribution to the work of the National Pharmacy Programme."

Continued here:
Appointment of pharmacy-focused Chief Advisor welcomed