Optimal Use of Medicines
Information on Medical Conditions
One of PHARMAC's functions is to promote the responsible use of medicines. PHARMAC is currently running the following information campaigns to patients and health professionals:
- Antibiotics - Wise Use of Antibiotics
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An annual campaign co-ordinated by PHARMAC. Its primary aim is to raise awareness that antibiotics are not a cure-all for winter colds and flu, and that overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance. The campaign is supported by Independent Practioners Associations, RNZCGP, The Pharmaceutical Society, Plunket and the Pharmacy Guild.
Download copies of our leaflets and posters:
- If In Doubt, Check It Out (2 pages, 337 KB) leaflet
- The Bugs Are Catching On (2 pages, 141 KB) leaflet
- The Bugs Are Catching On (1 page, 291 KB) poster
- Antibiotic resistance 1991-2005 chart (1 page, 9 KB).
Or
request more information. Other brochures are available from BPAC NZ. - One Heart Many Lives
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The One Heart Many Lives campaign aims to raise both awareness and decrease the level of cardiovascular risk among men aged over 35. Heart disease is one of New Zealand's biggest killers with higher rates among men compared to women. In addition, Maori and Pacific men are at even greater risk, and die on average 8-10 years earlier than other New Zealanders.
One Heart Many Lives is a social marketing campaign promoting appropriate use of medicines, and better lifestyle choices such as eating well, being more physically active or stopping smoking. Developed by PHARMAC, the campaign is run in partnership with District Health Boards.
More information. - Gut Reaction
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Gut Reaction is a campaign to highlight and address the high prescribing rates of proton pump inhibitor medicines, which are used to treat heartburn and dyspepsia. The campaign aims to promote best-practice prescribing of medicines for heartburn medicines, such as H2 antagonists or other effective antacid treatments, in addition to PPIs.
The aims of the campaign are
- To raise awareness of current prescribing behaviour with doctors and pharmacists.
- To provide training packages, updates and new information for medicines management of dyspepsia.
- Offer training and patient review tools in pharmacies.
- Provide key opinion leader expertise in the form of interactive presentations at PHO and surgery level.
- Provide doctors and pharmacists with patient toolkits, which include samples of ranitidine so a choice of treatment can be offered when a patient presents in surgery with symptoms of dyspepsia.
- Provide ranitidine samples which may help start a step-down regime for patients who would benefit from a lower dose of a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) or be able to be stepped down to an H2RA (H2 Receptor Antagonist).
- Diabetes - Staying Well with Type 2 Diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes is a significant health issue facing New Zealanders. There are approximately 115,000 people with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand. This figure is expected to grow to 145,000 by 2011.
PHARMAC has been working with consumers, diabetes nurses, specialists and general practitioners to develop a suite of resources to help patients and prescribers in achieving glycaemic control.
Given the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among our Māori and Pacific populations, we have made patient held resources available in a variety of languages including: Te Reo Māori/English, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island Māori and Niuean. Available on request at no cost, these resources include:
- expert consensus recommendations on the role and frequency of self monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes
- a patient information pad for diabetes medication
- a patient log book for helping manage important information about their diabetes
- a diabetes education visual aid for diabetes and community nurses
We hope you find these tools useful. To request copies of these resources please
email us or call PHARMAC’s help line on 0800 66 00 50 (9am to 4pm weekdays). - Gout
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This brochure has comprehensive information about the disease, prevention and its treatment. This booklet can be ordered by gout sufferers and family and friends of persons suffering from gout, or can be downloaded, or request a Gout brochure in a different language: Māori, Cook Island Māori, Tongan or Samoan.
- My Medicine Looks Different
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This brochure is for patients whose brand of medicine may have changed as a result of PHARMAC tendering. It answers some common questions about medicine brand changes - such as explaining why the medicine has changed, why it has a different brand name - and information about safety and effectiveness.
Request a copy.
Page updated on 09 Apr 2008
Linked documents
If In Doubt, Check In Out: Leaflet & Poster (2 pages, 337 KB)
About Antibiotics Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infection caused by bacteria. Doctors prescribe different antibiotics for different bacteria. It is important to take the full course of antibiotic treatment, even if you seem to be better, so that the…
Consultation: Various pharmaceuticals (2 pages, 141 KB)
Consultation on a provisional agreement with Pfizer for listing of various pharmaceuticals on the Pharmaceutical Schedule PHARMAC and Pfizer New Zealand Limited have entered into a provisional agreement…
Wise Use of Antibiotics Poster (1 page, 291 KB)
THE BUGS ARE CATCHING ON… Remember the rules of engagement IF in doubt check it out! Antibiotics don’t do colds and Flu! Take the lot, no matter what!
