AUSTRALIA'S pandemic response sub-register of recently retired health practitioners, including 1,936 pharmacists, will remain in place until 06 Apr 2022, to support the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
The move was announced yesterday by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after a request from the Federal Government, and came a week after the Pharmacy Board of Australia had said the sub-register would close on 19 Apr.
The extended sub-register will only feature pharmacists, medical practitioners, nurses, midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners.
AHPRA CEO, Martin Fletcher, said the decision reflected the effectiveness of the sub-register's contribution to the national COVID-19 pandemic response.
"Practitioners on the sub-register are a valued part of supporting the Australian community during the pandemic, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccination program," he said.
"We acknowledge this and support the Government's request to keep the sub-register open for up to 12 months more."
Pharmacists who are on the sub-register, who have not applied to transition to the main register of practitioners are limited to practice only to help with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Practitioners on the sub-register do not need to do anything to remain on it and do not have to pay fees.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 09 Apr 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 09 Apr 21
