Pharmacist Warns of 'Immense Pressure' in Sector, Calls for Systemic Overhaul to Prevent Future Tragedies

A pharmacy owner with over 30 years of experience has raised the alarm about the state of the profession, warning of 'terrible incidents' unless urgent action is taken. The warnings come in the wake of a tragic case where a two-month-old baby allegedly died after being given an adult dosage of phosphate.

The Tragedy: A Baby's Life Lost

Bellamere Arwyn Duncan, a two-month-old infant, died at Starship Hospital on 19 July. A coroner's preliminary opinion suggests the baby's death was due to phosphate toxicity, which allegedly resulted from an adult dosage of phosphate being dispensed by a Manawatū pharmacy. The incident has sparked a joint review by the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand, with Medsafe visiting the pharmacy to ensure it was safe to operate.

Pharmacist's Call for Change

Pharmacist Annabel Turley, owner of Unichem Cashel Pharmacy in Christchurch, described the situation as a 'terrible storm of events' that is a 'recipe for disaster.' She criticized both the current and previous governments for issuing pharmacy licenses 'like lollies,' contributing to a severe workforce shortage. 'I've been in pharmacy since the 90s, and I've never seen it so bad,' she said.

Workforce Crisis and Systemic Issues

Turley emphasized that the profession is under 'immense pressure,' with pharmacists not being adequately funded or supported. She argued that the government must halt the issuance of new pharmacy licenses to allow the workforce to recover and prevent further 'terrible incidents.'

Support for Mandatory Second Checks

Bellamere's parents are calling for a law change that would make it mandatory for medication to be checked by two people before dispensing. This has received support from experts, including Dr. Jason Wister, a Senior Medical Officer and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit clinical director at Dunedin Hospital, who described the change as 'safe, low-risk, and high-reward.'

Industry Voices and Calls for Action

Former pharmacist Ant Simon, who left the profession after 40 years, attributed his decision to the overwhelming pressure on the industry and the lack of staff. 'If you're under pressure, you don't think as clearly,' he said. 'That's when mistakes happen.'

Pharmacist Advocates for Better Support

Lanny Wong, a pharmacist and director of Mangawhai Pharmacy, acknowledged the need for a law change but stressed that pharmacists require better resources and funding. 'We need to be well resourced, well funded, and supported,' she said. 'At the moment, we're simply not supported.'

Government Response and Ongoing Investigations

Health Minister Simeon Brown confirmed that investigations are underway, and the Ministry of Health is working with Health New Zealand and the Pharmacy Council to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. 'These investigations may propose recommendations, and these will be reviewed once reports are complete,' he said.

Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Reform

As the sector grapples with a growing crisis, the voices of pharmacists, parents, and medical professionals are converging on a single message: the system must change. Without systemic reform, including better funding, workforce planning, and mandatory second checks, more lives may be lost in the future.