26/02/2024
New Zealand is undergoing a transformative shift in its healthcare landscape following the establishment of a national health agency, Health New Zealand. The initiative highlights the role of pharmacists, particularly in emergency medicine, FIP’s Hospital Pharmacy Section (HPS) newsletter reported last month. At Taranaki Base Hospital, pharmacists are involved during stroke calls, for example.
“As medicines experts, we are focused primarily on drug dosing and preparation. . . . We also advise doctors by utilising our knowledge of medicines, assessment of medication-related problems, pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic principles, and history gathering in this fast-paced setting,” said Eva Chung Levbarg, lead emergency department pharmacist at the hospital.
In addition, the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association has launched an emergency medicines special interest network to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists in this field, aiming for uniform protocols and enhanced support.
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