Back to top anchor

Stakeholder views on the Pharmacist Minor Ailment Service and access equity

Year:
2022
Duration:
24 months
Approved budget:
$32,127.60
Researchers:
Mr Brendon McIntosh
,
Dr Joanna Hikaka
,
Dr Anneka Anderson
Health issue:
Wellbeing (autonomy self-determination)
Proposal type:
Māori Health Masters Scholarship
Lay summary
Non-Māori currently experience better access to medicines than Māori. Pharmacists are used internationally to provide Pharmacist Minor Ailment Services (PMAS), which involve the assessment and management of commonly occurring health conditions (for example, head lice, thrush, indigestion and sore throats) by pharmacists directly in primary care. These services have been posited to improve equitable medicines access for Māori, yet there is no current evidence for the effectiveness of this service. Pharmacists also have a role to support medicines adherence and subsequently improve morbidity and mortality outcomes. I will privilege Māori voices in stakeholder interviews to gain stakeholder views and engage them with the dialogue. This project aligns with PHARMAC's strategic vision to provide an evidence-base for innovative, Māori-led solutions to improve Māori access to funded medicines.