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College of GPs Welcomes Prescribing Changes

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed Pharmac’s decision to allow vocationally-registered GPs to prescribe Special Foods.

Pharmac today announced new rules to come into force from 1 April that will allow Special Foods such as some types of infant formula and gluten-free foods to be prescribed by a wider group including dieticians and vocationally-registered GPs. Until now, they could only be prescribed by certain specialists.

RNZCGP President Dr Harry Pert says the decision is great news for people who live in rural and provincial areas, who have found it difficult to access specialists able to prescribe funded Special Foods.

“They will have much easier access. It has always been within the scope of general practice to prescribe Special Foods, but the funding rules have not allowed it.”

Dr Pert says it’s also heartening to have the clinical skills of GPs recognised in this way.

“It recognises GPs as being specialists in their own right and will enhance our workforce’s ability to better meet the needs of their patients requiring special diets.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Leigh Parker, Group Manager, Communications

DDI: +64 4 496 5965 or email