Pharmacist prescriber push
September 20, 2010
THE expansion of the role of
pharmacists and other health
practitioners into prescribing may
help to alleviate building pressures
on Australia’s healthcare system
brought about by an ageing
population, according to the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Addressing the issue of
pharmacist prescribers at its
upcoming PAC10 conference, the
PSA said “unless safe and effective
alternatives can be found for the
current system, the burden of an
ever-increasing aging population
will soon take its toll on the quality
of life of all Australians”.
Leading the ‘Pharmacist
Prescribing - Optometrists, Nurses
and Podiatrists Are Doing It, So
How Close Are we?’ session at
PAC10 will be University of
Queensland Associate professor
Lisa Nissen.
“Other countries including the
United Kingdom, Canada and the
United States have moved to
address similar health system issues
by expanding the roles for existing
health professionals, including
nurse practitioners, optometrists,
podiatrists and pharmacists,”
Nissen said.
“This expansion has been
particularly focused on providing
access to prescription medicines,”
she added.
These overseas models of ‘nonmedical
prescribing’ have provided
a “system of change”, that has
according to Nissen, enabled
citizens greater access to
medications, and “a better
utilisation of the skills and training
of health professionals already
working within the health system.
“There are many models of nonmedical
prescribing available and a
number of health professional
groups who have stepped up to the
challenge,” Nissen said.
Throughout her presentation
Nissen will cover the current nonmedical
prescribing evidence and
how it will be applied to the
advancement of pharmacist
prescribing in Australia.
For more information visit
www.pac10.com.au.
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