Copayments are added barrier to healthcare

Patient copayments should be rescinded.

Why the contribution is important

Having worked in both rural and urban setting in community pharmacy, it is clear that a lot of New Zealanders see the copayments as added barrier to healthcare. Some parents are left having to decide whether to obtain their medicines either for themselves or for their whanau, or buy groceries for their families. It is disheartening to hear how most medicines are fully funded in Aotearoa and yet, some populations cannot access basic medicines because of patient copayment.

The removal of copayment will allow for improved access to medicines, which may in turn provide better health outcomes for New Zealanders.

by Pharm32 on April 25, 2023 at 09:47AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 5.0
Based on: 5 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Medicina April 25, 2023 at 17:23

    The co-payment is not having it's intended effect (reducing waste and cost). There are many more costs to the health system than $5 when a person doesn't collect and use a medicine that a doctor determined was necessary for their health.
    There might be a slight reduction in pharmaceutical waste but there is a much higher waste of clinical time due to unresolved or compounded health problems for the person who did not use the medication when the doctor intended it to be used.
    Stop paying for people to re-attend the GP or stay in hospital for the original issue. Fully fund the medication the doctor intended them to take.
    Stop allowing discount pharmacies to loss-lead prescriptions as a market-share tactic to bombard the patient with retail messaging, unnecessary items and environmentally awful lotions and potions.

  • Posted by Blacksands April 26, 2023 at 10:04

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