Pharmacy Owners Urge Immediate Action After Baby's Death

In the wake of a tragic incident that has shaken the healthcare sector, pharmacy owners across New Zealand have called on the government to take urgent and decisive action. The death of two-month-old Bellamere Arwyn Duncan has sparked widespread concern over the current state of pharmacy services and the potential risks posed by systemic underfunding and overwork in the sector.

Bellamere died at Starship Hospital on July 19, following allegations that she was given an adult dosage of phosphate by a pharmacy in Manawatū. A coroner's preliminary report indicated that the infant's death was likely due to phosphate toxicity. This incident has triggered a joint review by the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand, with Medsafe conducting an urgent assessment of the pharmacy involved.

The Pharmacy Council has also launched an investigation, stating that an 'awful error' has occurred. In response, pharmacists and pharmacy owners have raised the alarm, warning that the system is on the brink of collapse and that lives are at risk. Pharmacist Annabel Turley, who owns a pharmacy in Christchurch, has written to several ministers, including former Health Minister Dr. Shane Reti and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, highlighting the critical workforce shortages that are endangering the sustainability of pharmacy services across the country.

Turley emphasized that pharmacists are 'at a tipping point,' with many pharmacies struggling to function due to insufficient staffing. She called for an immediate moratorium on the issuance of new pharmacy licences until the workforce situation is addressed, arguing that opening new pharmacies in the current climate would only exacerbate the strain on an already overstretched workforce.

Another pharmacist, Anna Hewitt, echoed these concerns, stating that the critical workforce shortage has led to 'real lives' being lost. She described the situation as a 'Public Health Crisis,' noting that pharmacists are not only dispensing medication but also providing vaccinations, health advice, and other essential services. However, without adequate support, they are unable to guarantee safe and consistent care.

Bellamere's parents have called for a law change that would make it mandatory for medication to be checked by two people before it is dispensed. They believe this could prevent future tragedies, and they are urging the government to take bold steps to address the crisis in the pharmacy sector.

A Health New Zealand spokesperson acknowledged the role of pharmacies in providing essential healthcare services and highlighted the audit requirements in place to ensure high-quality care. However, they also noted that there are ongoing efforts to grow the pharmacy workforce, including funding for ancillary roles and the development of prescribing pharmacists.

Medsafe has confirmed that the number of pharmacies in the country has remained 'consistent' over the past five years. However, they emphasized that serious errors like the one that led to Bellamere's death are 'extremely rare,' and that the vast majority of people who access pharmacy services receive safe and quality care.

The owner of the Manawatū pharmacy that dispensed the medication has expressed deep regret over the incident and stated that the pharmacy is conducting an internal investigation to understand how the error occurred. They also mentioned that external reviews would be conducted in collaboration with relevant parties.

As the investigation continues, the voices of pharmacists and pharmacy owners are growing louder, urging the government to take immediate action to prevent further tragedies. The call for reform, increased funding, and improved working conditions in the pharmacy sector has never been more urgent.