RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
The Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is welcoming a government announcement to widen the prescription criteria for the Covid-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid.
In a recent press release, network chair Dr Fiona Bolden said that it was an important step forward as New Zealand comes into the next surge of Covid-19, including the emergence of subvariant BA.5.
In rural areas, many people have antiviral medications like Paxlovid prescribed from many kilometres away and then couriered from urban pharmacies, which tend to be better supplied. However, the distances and individual pharmacies' policies involved can cause delays.
Bolden says the decision to allow community pharmacists to supply this medication without a prescription has raised some serious questions regarding patient safety. This concern relates to "back pocket" prescriptions - prescriptions which do not need to be used immediately.
She adds that Paxlovid is a complex medication, with many interactions, and can't be used without a person having adequate kidney or liver function. It can cause side effects, which need explanation and management and for Paxlovid to be safely supplied, access to this information is a necessity.
Bolden claims this information is currently not available in a universal way across the country.
"Pharmacists are an essential part of our rural healthcare team who have already had a very positive role in helping with the care of Covid in the community," she explains.
"Supplying this medication without adequate training and proper support will place additional unnecessary pressure on them. Rural pharmacies shouldn't be prescribing Paxlovid at all, but some rural pharmacists who have had appropriate training, and up-to-date medical records of the patient and the means to provide feedback to the main prescriber, may be able to do so."
Bolden adds that clinical assessment is always going to be an essential part of managing illnesses no matter where people live.
"Outcomes to changes in care need to be monitored carefully for unintended consequences."
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.