April 08, 2021
Pharmacists ponder of potions paid or prescribed
The Māori Pharmacists’ Association, Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa, is looking at how whānau Māori can receive equitable access to medicines.
Lead researcher Jo Hikaka says association members will talk with whānau about their experiences and perceptions of being able to access minor ailment medicines from pharmacies.
For example, are they more likely than non-Māori to pay for medicines used to treat minor ailments like eczema, scabies and head lice, or do they get those same medicines under prescription?
The project is funded by the Health Research Council and Pharmac, and it will be assisted by researchers from the National Hauora Coalition.
Ms Hikaka says pharmacists are the most frequently visited health professionals and whānau will be asked their views on how pharmacists can help more, not only with medicines but with health and wellbeing more generally.
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