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The world is currently facing a global health worker shortage, so it is vital that New Zealand’s immigration settings present a competitive offer to attract health workers to our shores
Pharmacists are among 32 health sector roles newly added to an immigration green list aimed at making New Zealand a more attractive destination for foreign workers.
Immigration minister Michael Wood and health minister Ayesha Verrall announced the change, which adds the profession to the Straight to Residence pathway through Immigration New Zealand, and makes it easier for pharmacists to gain residency.
“The world is currently facing a global health worker shortage, so it is vital that New Zealand’s immigration settings present a competitive offer to attract health workers to our shores,” Mr Wood says.
“We need more qualified people to help us deliver on our record health investments and help improve access to good healthcare in New Zealand.”
Pharmacy owners have been requesting the change for some time as a possible solution to current workforce shortages faced by the sector.
Dr Verrall says: “When I became health minister, I said workforce was one of my three key areas of priority and today’s announcement is a significant step in attracting more people to come and work in our health system.”
The professions added to the green list are:
In this article, Sue Frankland looks at the global problem of wastage of medications, including causes such as overprescribing and non-adherence. She also presents information from her master’s dissertation on how people understand, and respond to, medication expiration dates
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