Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacist+GPs support

Last week’s PSA “Pharmacists in General Practice” forum in Sydney saw strong support for the Society’s proposal to have pharmacists become an integral part of general practices (PD 28 May). Attended by about 100 pharmacists, GPs, researchers and other stakeholders, the forum’s keynote speaker was British pharmacist Ravi Sharma, who is an expert in the field. Sharma described the UK experience and the associated benefits of the model, as well as “funding mechanisms and the political journey involved in seeing the practice pharmacist model acknowledged,” PSA said. He said pharmacists are able to contribute a “massive amount” in the GP setting, particularly around the use of medicines. “As we go forward extending our role in the GP setting and start working collaboratively with other health professionals, particularly GPs and nurses, we are helping develop person-centred care. “This holistic approach to patient care better promotes the best use of medicines and better management of patients’ long-term complex conditions,” Sharma said. He said it was important that existing community pharmacy services are not duplicated in the GP clinic, while practice pharmacists should engage with community pharmacy to access additional support and services. Other presenters included Queensland practice pharmacist Dr Chris Freeman, who has worked in a GP setting for over six years. He said interventions made during that period had benefited patients on many levels. PSA is inviting pharmacists to register their interest to be kept up to date on this area of practice via practicepharmacists@psa.org.au.

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