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Tuesday 21 February 2023 12:54pm

Rainbow pharmacy clinic image
School of Pharmacy Clinic staff and members of the Dunedin Pride Committee - from L-R Lisa Kremer, Tara Wheeler, Max Wolfgram, Emma Smith, Trak Gray and Poppy Cruickshanks.

The School of Pharmacy hosted a free “Rainbow Pharmacy” pop-up clinic event on Thursday, 16 February for members of the Rainbow community to receive advice on any medicines they are taking or considering.

The event was held in partnership with Dunedin Pride and each of its appointment slots were filled and a waitlist started.

The purpose of the space was to create a safe and welcoming environment for members of the Rainbow community to engage with clinical pharmacists in hour-long individual consultations.

Clinic Lead Emma Smith says, “Pharmacists have a role to play in removing barriers to healthcare and as such we would like to provide a sensitive and responsive service.”

She hopes this pilot will help the team better understand the needs of the community and how they can best serve them going forward.

Rainbow pharmacy clinic 2 image
The team preparing ahead of the event.

“The School of Pharmacy was delighted to work alongside Dunedin Pride to make this event a reality. We hope to work with people in a way that aligns with their world views, empowering them to make the best possible decisions for their healthcare,” Mrs Smith says.

“Rainbow community members who utilised the clinic, and were added to the waitlist, include those who take multiple medications, are considering new medications like anti-depressants, hormone therapy, and/or are unsure about what has been prescribed to them.”

Dean of the School of Pharmacy Professor Carlo Marra shared Mrs Smith's sentiment, saying their hope was that the pop-up clinic met the medication needs of local takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ people in a helpful way.

“At its core, pharmacy is about helping patients get the best they can from their medicines and improving their health and quality of life,” Professor Marra says.

Though the event has finished, people can join the waitlist by calling 03 479 8141. More information available here.

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