Matui to provide resources for primary health care professionals on behalf of PHARMAC

PHARMAC is pleased to announce that from October this year they will be working with collaborative group Matui to provide resources for primary health care professionals.

PHARMAC has funded education and resources to support health professionals in primary care for almost 20 years, as part of its legislative function to promote the responsible use of pharmaceuticals. Following a competitive process, Matui was selected and will provide this service for the next four years.

“We know health professionals have a strong focus and a big part to play in reducing inequities in access to healthcare in New Zealand. We have heard from health professionals that they would value further tools and resources that address medicines access equity,” says PHARMAC’s acting medical director Dr Ken Clark.

“This new partnership will focus on tools and resources to address medicines access equity, as well as support and promote the responsible use of pharmaceuticals.

“We are committed to continuing to provide resources to the primary healthcare sector and are keen to ensure these resources are relevant and responsive to the needs of healthcare professionals.”

Matui is a collaboration between The Health Media and Airmed. They have significant expertise and experience in the New Zealand primary healthcare sector. The Health Media will be well known to those working in primary care through their publications NZ Doctor and Pharmacy Today.
Matui chief executive Anna Mickell is thrilled to be in partnership with PHARMAC.

"We are on a mission to drive improvements in equitable access to medicines " says Anna.

"Our team is looking forward to working with all types of clinicians, clinical quality and business managers across the primary care sector to identify and deliver what tools they need to drive this outcome".

Matui are keen to engage with health professionals to ensure the resources and materials developed respond to their needs and are provided in a way that suits them best. “Between now and October we will be touching base with many of you and would welcome your thoughts if you wanted to contact us directly,” says Anna.

Primary healthcare professionals can look forward to a wide range of free online resources that will provide them with relevant, New Zealand focussed clinical information and guidance. A subscriber database is being developed for sending out links to a centralised depository of resources.

"Matui will help PHARMAC to continue strengthening our strong focus on equity, delivered in a way that will help to support and enhance the primary care health workforce,” concludes Dr Clark.