Pharmacies across New Zealand are set to benefit from a new electronic system designed to streamline their operations.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Medsafe’s approval of Toniq Limited’s electronic controlled drug register—the first of its kind in the country.

The register will allow pharmacies to replace their physical, paper-based systems with an automated process that promises greater efficiency.

It’s a move that’s expected to ease administrative workloads and free up pharmacists to focus on patient care.

“I’ve seen firsthand the role pharmacists play in the healthcare system,” Mr Seymour says.

“They dispense medications, educate patients, and advise doctors. This register is about making life easier for them so they can focus more on their patients.”

Pharmacies are legally required to keep detailed records of controlled drugs such as opioids and medicinal cannabis.

Until now, those records have been handwritten in physical registers—a time-consuming task that can take attention away from frontline healthcare.

The Toniq register integrates directly with the company’s dispensing system, giving pharmacies better oversight of drug stock levels while simplifying compliance requirements.

Automation reduces the risk of error and cuts down on paperwork.

Toniq Limited, a New Zealand-owned brand, trialled the system under Medsafe supervision.

According to Mr Seymour, the trial produced positive feedback from pharmacists, who found the system handled their needs well.

Pharmacists who are keen to explore other electronic register options may soon have more to choose from.

Medsafe is currently assessing other vendors and could approve additional systems in the future.

For Coasties, this means pharmacists on the Hibiscus Coast may soon have more time to spend with their patients instead of on paperwork.

As our local pharmacies adopt these technologies, the community can expect quicker service and better access to professional advice.

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