13 Nov 2023

Report finds prescription fees have negative impact on health

From Morning Report, 6:16 am on 13 November 2023

A report out Monday morning says bringing back fees for pharmacy prescriptions will reverse improved healthcare.

The survey found two-thirds of community pharmacies built patient numbers between July and October and pharmacists were able to help more with frontline care.

The Labour government scrapped the standard $5 co-pay fee for prescriptions in July.

But the incoming National Party leadership has said it will reintroduce prescription fees for adults, except those who hold a Community Services Card or a SuperGold card.

Rotorua-based pharmacist and spokesperson for the Prescription Access Initiative Charlotte Schimanski spoke to Corin Dann.