Optimal Use of Medicines
Note: All of the brochures and leaflets listed below can easily be ordered, for free, from 
PHARMAC Online Resources or by phoning PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50.
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).
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. - 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
You can get a free copy of these resources at
PHARMAC Online Resources or by phoning PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50. - 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:
- English (19 pages, 1468 KB)
- Te Reo Maori (10 pages, 1537 KB)
- Niuean (10 pages, 1601 KB)
- Samoan (10 pages, 1539 KB)
- Tongan (10 pages, 1542 KB).
- 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. You can get a free copy at
PHARMAC Online Resources or by phoning PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50.
- Evaluations of Access and Optimal Use Activities
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Here are links to evaluations and reviews of some Access and Optimal Use campaigns. If you would like further information about these campaigns please make a request
here. - He Rongoa Pai, He Oranga Whanau - Staying Well with Medicines - Evaluation of current activities (1 page, 510 KB)
- One Heart Many Lives - Overview of the campaign (1 page, 888 KB)
- Space to Breathe - Childhood asthma campaign - Formative Evaluation (1 page, 1389 KB)
- Te Whaioranga - Maori Responsiveness Strategy - Overview (1 page, 277 KB).
Page updated on 28 Sep 2009
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!
Out with Gout - English (19 pages, 1468 KB)
Gout brochure: English Version 2008 Gout “How to live a healthy life with gout”
Gout Booklet - Te Reo Maori (10 pages, 1537 KB)
Gout brochure: Maori Version 2008 Mate Kauti Te noho hauora me te mate kauti Whakamaurutia te " Whakapirihia atu ki tö pouaka whakamakariri, waiho ränei me ö rongoä hei whakamaumahara i a koe. He aratohu mate kauti whaitake Whakamaurutia te…
Gout Booklet - Niuean (10 pages, 1601 KB)
Gout brochure: Niuean Version 2008 Fakamamao mo e gagao Tau pühala ke he moui malolö tino mitaki mo e gagao gout Hui Mamahi (Gout) " Tau fakatonutonuaga hagahaga mitaki ma e gagao gout Fakapili ke he filisa haau po ke…
Gout Booklet - Samoan (10 pages, 1539 KB)
Gout brochure: Samoan Version 2008 gugu ‘Auala e ola soifua lelei ai e ui ina gugu Tuli‘ese le " Ta‘iala aoga mo le gugu Fa‘apipi‘i i lau pusa‘aisa pë tu‘u fa‘atasi ma au vaila‘au e manatua ai. Tuli‘ese le gugu…
Gout Booklet - Tongan (10 pages, 1542 KB)
Gout brochure: Tongan Version 2008 Kauti´ Founga ha‘o nofo mo‘ui lelei mo e kauti´ (gout) Iku‘i ‘a e " Fakapipiki ki ho‘o ‘aisi´ pe tauhi fakataha mo ho‘o ngaahi faito‘o´ ke ke manatu‘i. Ko ha fakahinohino ‘aonga ki he kauti´…
He Rongoa Pai evaluation poster (1 page, 510 KB)
Background National pharmaceutical data indicates: l l l Section Three: Consumer Resources Potential resources: Patient Medication card – bilingual?, Help desk / 0800line, DVD, Consumer information Website, Children’s Book, Interest group initiated information sessions, Links to Local Pharmacists Mäori have…
One Heart Many Lives overview (1 page, 888 KB)
Kotahi te manawa he maha ngä wairua ora One Heart Many Lives A Cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention programme. I just said to “‘ man, just getmyself up and do it. tamati Davis – tamati’s story AutHOrs Karen Jacobs, Marama…
Space to Breathe formative evalutation (1 page, 1389 KB)
Developing ‘Space to Breathe’ – a programme to promote quality use of medicines for Māori and Pacific children with asthma Elspeth Kay, Project Manager, Access and Optimal Use – Te Whaioranga, PHARMAC, New Zealand Medicines use and asthma morbidity in…
Te Whaioranga Maori Responsiveness Strategy overview (1 page, 277 KB)
New Zealand’s approach to addressing health inequalities for access to medicines. Te Whaioranga – PHARMAC Māori Responsiveness Strategy He aha ai – Why did PHARMAC develop this strategy The founding constitutional document of New Zealand - The Treaty of Waitangi…
