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Journal of Primary Health Care Journal of Primary Health Care Society
Journal of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Achieving health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand: the contribution of medicines optimisation

Leanne Te Karu 1 , Linda Bryant 1 , Matire Harwood 2 , Bruce Arroll 1
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- Author Affiliations

1 Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

2 Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence to: Leanne Te Karu, Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Tamaki Campus Gate 1, 261 Morrin Rd, St Johns, Auckland 1072, New Zealand. Email: ltekaru@xtra.co.nz

Journal of Primary Health Care 10(1) 11-15 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC17067
Published: 29 March 2018

Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2018.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This paper aims to consider the various parts of what is required to achieve the best possible health outcomes from medicines in partnership with the person for whom they are prescribed. Specifically, it looks to highlight the process from an Indigenous view with respect to Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, and claims a multi-dimensional approach is imperative. Attaining optimal use of medicines is necessary to help achieve health equity. There is an urgent need to understand and investigate models of care that achieve this optimal state.


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