RECENT changes to Queensland legislation mean that community pharmacies across Australia can now ensure the continued supply of some medicines to patients, according to an article in the latest Pharmacy Guild Forefront.
The adjustments to legislation in Queensland bring the state into line with the rest of the country under the Continued Dispensing of PBS Medicines in Defined Circumstances arrangements.
At this stage Continued Dispensing applies only to statins and oral contraceptives, allowing the continued supply of a single full pack (maximum PBS quantity).
The legislation provides for pharmacists to continue supply when "it is not practicable to obtain a prescription, the medicine has been previously prescribed as a pharmaceutical benefit, therapy is stable and safe, and there has been prior clinical review by the prescriber that supports ongoing treatment."
The Guild said it believed Continued Dispensing could be extended to other medicines used for chronic health conditions, such as for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma and mental health so that patients who meet the conditions can receive a full pack of their medicine as a PBS benefit, without the added stress of needing to see their GP within a few days to ensure ongoing treatment with that medicine.
The cost to the Federal Government was "negligible", the Guild said, and would address barriers to improved adherence.
Expansion of the scheme would also be of great value in times of catastrophe such as floods, fires and cyclones to ensure patients had ongoing supply.
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