A Springboard for Pharmacists Professional Future

Late in 2007 the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand convened a ‘think tank’ of informed influential leaders in the health sector who the Society brought together for a special “Springboard” meeting. The discussions aimed to create a new paradigm in securing sustainable and relevant pharmacists’ services that will improve the health outcomes of New Zealanders.

Participants comprised leaders from within the pharmacy profession and in other key health areas. The guest speaker, Harry McQuillan, Community Pharmacy CEO of Scotland, outlined Scotland’s latest developments in healthcare delivery that involve pharmacists in enhanced service activities. Pharmacists there are recognised as key practitioner members of the primary health care team. They are becoming involved in much broader levels of service provision – beyond the dispensing function and into services for minor ailments, chronic care and public health, for which funding contracts are being secured.

The attendees identified how pharmacists could improve the health and well being of New Zealanders; they explored the value pharmacists provide and could provide. Ways to work together on shared goals for the future were identified; and alternative ways of funding pharmacists and pharmacy care services were put forward.

June 2008