21 Jan 2015

People urged to make better use of pharmacists

7:16 pm on 21 January 2015

People are being urged to improve their health by receiving free medical information from two pharmacists at Rātana Pā this Friday and Saturday.

Tāngata whenua from around the country will converge on the Pā as part of the annual celebration of the Rātana church's foundation.

Pharmac has supported the Māori Pharmacists Association in hosting a medicine management stall for tangata whenua.

Leanne Te Karu, Whanganui/Muaūpoko, one of two pharmacists available to talk to tangata whenua at Rātana Pā

Leanne Te Karu, Whanganui/Muaūpoko, one of two pharmacists available to talk to tangata whenua at Rātana Pā Photo: Supplied

Pharmac's Kaiwhakahaere Whakarata Māori, Ātene Andrews, said many Māori communities have told the agency that their lack of knowledge around medications, such as how to use them correctly and their side effects, are ongoing problems.

Mr Andrews said he was encouraging people to bring their medications and pātai to the Pā and have a kōrero with the two pharmacists.

He said Leanne Te Karu is a Whanganui iwi and Muaūpoko descendant with experience in both community and hospital pharmacy while Fiona Corbin works in Whānganui as a clinical advisory pharmacist.

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