Latest News

25

Aug 2017

Doctors worried about 'snake oil' in NZ pharmacies

A change to the pharmacists code of ethics is worrying doctors in New Zealand, for fears it could "legitimise snake oil". The Pharmacy Council's revised code of ethics includes an appendix that makes it ethical for pharmacists to supply unregulated products, as long as they inform the customer about the lack of scientific evidence surrounding that particular item.

Read More >

20

Aug 2017

Doctors sound alarm over 'snake oil' being sold in pharmacies

The New Zealand Medical Association says it has 'major reservations' about proposed changes to the pharmacists code of ethics that remove the need for complimentary healthcare products, currently unregulated in New Zealand, to meet the 'credible level of efficacy' requirement.

Read More >

17

Aug 2017

ComCom issues warnings over Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear

The Commerce Commission has warned Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare New Zealand Limited (GSK) and AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (AFT) that the companies’ product packaging and marketing representations for some Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear products were likely to have breached the Fair Trading Act.

Read More >

16

Aug 2017

Pharmaceutical companies warned for misleading customers

Sorry, no compatible source and playback technology were found for this video. Try using another browser like Chrome or download the latest Adobe Flash Player. The Commerce Commission has issued warnings to Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare and AFT Pharmaceuticals.

Read More >

16

Aug 2017

Warnings sent over Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear Commissions says marketing likely to mislead.

Two pharmaceutical companies have received warning letters from the Commerce Commission over identical products marketed as being able to help with specific ailments. We wrote about two of the products, Voltaren Emulgel and Volaten Osteo Gel, back in March last year.

Read More >

16

Aug 2017

Pain drugs may breach Fair Trading Act

Two pharmaceutical companies have been warned over the packaging and marketing of some pain relievers. The Commerce Commission has issued warnings to Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare New Zealand Limited and AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited that some products were likely to have breached the Fair Trading Act.

Read More >

16

Aug 2017

Commerce Commission orders warning over Voltaren, Panadol, Maxiclear

The consumer watchdog has warned two pharmaceutical companies that their packaging and marketing for some pain relief medication is likely to have breached the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commission investigated a range of Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear twin products that contained the same active ingredients but were marketed and packaged differently.

Read More >

16

Aug 2017

ComCom issues warnings over Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear

The Commerce Commission has warned Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare New Zealand Limited (GSK) and AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (AFT) that the companies’ product packaging and marketing representations for some Voltaren, Panadol and Maxiclear products were likely to have breached the Fair Trading Act.

Read More >

11

Aug 2017

Call for pharmacies to pull painkillers from shelves

Auckland's Waitemata Health Board has called for common pain killers to be removed from pharmacies because of a growing codeine addiction. New Zealand's largest drug addiction centre, Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS), says it's seeing people who are taking up to 90 pills a day - medicine they don't need a prescription to get.

Read More >

11

Aug 2017

Newshub 4pm - Item 6

New figures show the number of New Zealanders addicted to over-the-counter pain killers containing codeine is growing. New Zealand's largest drug addiction treatment centre, Community Alcohol and Drug Services, studied its admissions over two months and found 19 per cent of people were addicted to over-the-counter codeine products, Nurofen Plus and Panadeine.

Read More >

08

Aug 2017

Nit treatment could be free without prescription, saving parents hundreds of dollars

Source: Pharmac is considering making a government-funded treatment for head lice available free over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription. Nit treatment is currently free for kids - but you have to go to a doctor to get it. Source: Seven Sharp

Read More >

28

Jul 2017

Increase in needle waste and unwanted medicine disposals

More people are returning their unused drugs to pharmacies and health authorities are pleased not as much is being dumped in the wrong places. The number of returned medicines, such as expired tablets and bottles, has almost doubled in the area covered by the MidCentral District Health Board, from 60,500 items in 2009-10, to 117,800 in 2016-17.

Read More >

28

Jul 2017

Pharmac proposes pharmacists supply funded NRT and emergency pill

We are looking for an enthusiastic General Practitioner to work at our NorthCare Medical centre based in Hamilton. Barrington Medical Centre offer an excellent opportunity to join a large, established, purpose built practice in a multidisciplinary suburban practice.

Read More >

25

Jul 2017

Naivety around adults' continued overuse of paracetamol

Toxicologists say the appropriate dosage levels for paracetamol are listed on the packet for a reason. Recently released coronial findings have ruled a Wellington woman died of liver failure after accidentally poisoning herself with the drug. National Poison Centre medical toxicologist Michael Beasley said it's a tragic death that was likely preventable.

Read More >

25

Jul 2017

Take a look at... Thalidomide dispensing extended to community pharmacies

Read More >

24

Jul 2017

Guild congratulates Community Pharmacy of the Year

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) congratulates Waimauku Village Pharmacy for winning the Community Pharmacy of the Year award at the 2017 Pharmacy Awards held on Saturday night (22 July). This year’s awards ceremony was held at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland and saw approximately 300 pharmacists and pharmacy stakeholders from around the country attend the event.

Read More >

18

Jul 2017

Seasonal illnesses keep pharmacists busy

Read More >

13

Jul 2017

Pharmacists surprised by call for clozapine guidelines update

Read More >

11

Jul 2017

Auckland pharmacies offer safe, legal DUMP site for unwanted medicines

Patients are being urged to dispose of unwanted medicines safely and legally - not throwing them in the rubbish or flushing them down the toilet. It is prohibited to throw medicines in landfills because of the risk to the environment, and throwing them down the toilet could result in a waterway contamination.

Read More >

10

Jul 2017

More than 1.2m influenza vaccines distributed

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says 1.2 million New Zealanders have been immunised with the seasonal influenza vaccine this year. "This is the sixth year in a row where more than a million doses have been distributed before influenza cases peak and this is a credit to the sector," says Dr Coleman.

Read More >