The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p751-757
1 June 2002

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Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (www.pgnz.org.nz)

Pharmacists retain ownership of pharmacies in NZ

The ownership and control of pharmacies in New Zealand will, subject to one possible exemption, continue to be restricted to pharmacists.

Proposals by the New Zealand government to deregulate ownership of pharmacies in New Zealand prompted pharmacists to put pressure on the government to rethink its plans. The minister for health agreed, after a meeting with representatives of the New Zealand Pharmacy Guild, to put the guild's recommendation (that every pharmacy should continue to be under the effective ownership and control of a pharmacist or pharmacists) to the cabinet.

Had the minister not agreed, the guild said it would, within 48 hours of the meeting, launch a television advertising campaign to inform the public of the government's plans and the uncertainty that would result in relation to the provision of pharmacy services. The television advertisements had already been made, ready for broadcasting if the guild's bid to the cabinet was unsuccessful. The guild also launched a public petition that was well supported.

The possible exemption from the normal ownership rules is to permit the minister to license a primary health organisation to own and operate a pharmacy when services to the public would be enhanced.

The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand came under pressure at its annual general meeting for not being vociferous enough on this issue.
— Contributed.