24 Jan 2018

Pacific pharmacists group gains support

5:41 pm on 24 January 2018

Pharmacists in New Zealand have set up a new network to help Pacific people make more informed choices about their health.

An extra $60 million for Pharmac over the next four years will benefit more than 60,000 New Zealanders, it said.

An extra $60 million for Pharmac over the next four years will benefit more than 60,000 New Zealanders, it said. Photo: 123RF

Wellington pharmacist Kasey Brown said she began the Facebook group to support Pacific pharmacists around New Zealand and across the region.

The New Zealand drug buying agency PHARMAC has endorsed the group supporting them to become established and build bridges with the Pacific community.

Kasey Brown said members planned to exchange resources, help with translations and improve understanding about medicines.

She said she hoped people would reach out to their pharmacists for help.

"There's lots of lost information about medication and people are getting confused, they don't know what they're on," she said.

"So hopefully with this group we are able to help bridge that gap between medical jargon and the everyday people in society."

Ms Brown said pharmacists played a key role in educating and supporting people with their health issues.