53986 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

53986 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What opportunities for expanding health service provision through community pharmacies has he received advice on, if any, since 1 January 2024?

Hon Simeon Brown: I have been provided with the evaluation of the Minor Ailments Scheme pilot, that found the service improved access to care but required further development to make an impact on pressures in other parts of the health system. I have also been kept updated on the proposed establishment of a Clinical Services Expansion Fund to support delivery of community pharmacy services that would otherwise require a consultation with a GP or other clinical service provider. I have also received advice on work Health New Zealand has been doing to support pharmacists to become authorised vaccinators through a free three-hour training package to extend their vaccinator skills to include all childhood immunisations. I have been further advised that Health NZ is considering the use of community pharmacy for issuing and returning HPV primary screening self-tests.