2017 HCHB_digital

Selling OTC Products (continued)
Medicine classifications
New Zealand is unique in the way that it classifies medicines. Overseas, medicines
tend to be either available through a doctor on a prescription and dispensed in a
pharmacy or available unrestricted, through a general retail outlet, supermarket,
or gas station. New Zealand has four broad categories of medicine classifications:
• [GENERAL SALE] can be sold through other retail outlets not just pharmacies
• [PHARMACY ONLY MEDICINE] only available in pharmacies
• [PHARMACIST ONLY MEDICINE] can only be sold by a pharmacist
• [PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE] only available on a doctor’s prescription but
dispensed by a pharmacist.
Medicine classifications can change after the Healthcare Handbook goes to
print, so it is important you are alert to updates circulated by the Medicines
Classification Committee regarding classification changes. The current
classification of any medicine can be found on the Medsafe website at www.
medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/classintro.asp Alternatively go to www.
medsafe.govt.nz and click on the medicines tab and choose classification. Click
on classification database and enter the generic name of the medicine whose
classification you wish to check in the search box provided.
Pitfalls of some pharmacy products
Be mindful of certain products that may be a challenge to administer to specific
populations; for example, eye drops in the very old; liquid medicines for an
uncooperative toddler; nit combs on very curly, thick hair. People with limited
mobility or arthritis may have difficulty opening foil packaging or correctly
applying fungal nail products. Seek advice from your pharmacist or more
experienced staff members about ways people can overcome these difficulties.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies have been included in many treatment options tables,
in the row headed “Natural/ herbal products/ supplements”.
In most instances, only those with evidence for an effect as cited by a reputable
natural medicines database have been included.
More complex health problems
The Healthcare Handbook also includes general information on a few common
medical conditions, such as Asthma, Diabetes, and Gout. Although most of the
medicines prescribed for these conditions are only available on a prescription,
customers with these conditions may request OTC products for other conditions from
time to time. Always involve a pharmacist in any discussion about OTC product use
in people with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, blood pressure, cancer,
depression, glaucoma, gout, heart disease, osteoporosis and pain.
Additional reference material
The Ministry of Health also provides free pamphlets, stickers, and posters covering
a wide range of topics (for example, head lice, HPV vaccination) for consumers.
These are available online from www.healthed.govt.nz
Page 10 HEALTHCARE HANDBOOK 2017-2018 Introduction