Local chemists welcome Budget move

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“I’m absolutely delighted about it,” Clive says.

“I know it is a popular move and we wholeheartedly welcome it.”

The abolition of the $5 charge would have four major benefits, he says.

Firstly it will improve health and well-being, particularly for people on lower incomes who struggled with the part payment.

Secondly it will reduce hospital admissions, and that would – in turn – reduce the amount of money the government spent on health.

Thirdly it supported the sustainability of community pharmacies, “which will help us provide more and better services to the community”.

And fourthly it will help with the cost of living crisis New Zealand was currently facing.

“It also takes away our role as tax collectors on behalf of the government, rather than being health providers.

“That means we can spend more time with customers talking about health issues,” Clive says.

“We think it is wonderful news,” Ron says.

“We have been lobbying for the removal of this co-payment fee for some time, and I’m glad to see the back of it.”

Removal of the $5 prescription fee, which was in fact a secondary tax the government had imposed, “is going to help with prescriptions for the good people of Wainuiomata.”

Because people were able to take the medications they needed, rather than having to miss out because they could not afford the fee, the government’s move will keep people out of hospital as well.

“In the medium and long term it will save the government money by keeping people out of hospital,” Ron says.

In a report released this month, the Independent Community Pharmacy Group said that “pharmacists told us that the patient co-payment prescription fee has contributed to: stroke, heart attack, sight loss, failed kidneys, and amputations (including amputation leading to job loss). pital due to breathing problems, mental health crises and infections requiring IV antibiotics.acerbating abuse and violence; and (separately) families having to choose between medicines and food. whakam about not being able to afford the fee. making treatment decisions without receiving vital information about how prescribed medications have been taken, if at all.

“Even for patients who can afford the fee, pharmacists reported the fee and its complexity led to deterioration of patient-healthcare professional relationships, and negative patient experiences of the health system (associated with

- worse outcomes for patients).”

The report also noted that “experiences of the temporary fee waiver in cyclone-affected areas show that removing the prescription fee for everyone immediately increases access to basic medicines, producing rapid positive effects for community health and well-being.”

The government’s latest budget, announced on 18 May, has some “really good news for Wainuiomata,” Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen says.

One piece of good news was the fact that the government is going to do away with the $5 prescription fee.

“I talked to Clive the Chemist today {18 May] and he is over the moon about it,” Ginny says.

This was one of a number of budget initiatives that would benefit Wainuiomata people.

“I welcome the Government’s focus on the bread and butter issues and the things that matter most to New Zealanders – tackling the cost of living.

“This Budget delivers by providing cost of living relief across key expenses families’ experience – childcare, healthcare, transport and power bills,” Ginny says.

“I know it’s tough for families in Wainuiomata right now.

“That’s why this Budget adds to the cost of living support we have already put in place by introducing a number of new targeted measures that will also deliver long-term results.

“Families will have access to cheaper childcare with two-yearolds now eligible for the 20 hours free ECE subsidy, saving up to $133.20 a week for parents.

“We’re helping out with health costs by making most prescriptions free. An estimated 3,000,000 people across New Zealand will no longer have to worry about the cost of collecting medication including the 770,000 over the age of 65 who received prescription medicines in the community last year.

“More than 1.6 million New Zealanders in total will now benefit from free or half priced public transport; with 774,000 additional children and young people now eligible for the Community Connect discount scheme.

“We will help to reduce power bills by hundreds of dollars a year through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme.

“We are nearly doubling the existing retrofit programme that has reduced electricity use by on average 16 percent over the winter months.

“In addition, the Government is continuing to deliver on our ongoing commitment to improve housing for M ori in Budget 2023 with a $200 million investment through the Whai K inga Whai Oranga programme, for long-term housing supply, capability building and whare repairs.”

Budget 2023 also builds on the Government’s record public housing programme with funding to deliver 3,000 additional public homes by June 2025, Ginny says.