Community pharmacy focus
June 30, 2014
The Victorian Branch Presidents
of the PSA and Pharmacy Guild
appeared before the Victorian
parliament’s Legal and Social
Issues Legislation Committee last
Wednesday to give evidence to the
state government’s current inquiry
into community pharmacy.
The inquiry is investigating
possible opportunities for
pharmacies in primary and
preventative care, and has until 14
Oct 2014 to deliver its report.
Michelle Lynch from the PSA and
Anthony Tassone of the Guild said
they felt confident that they were
heard, and that the inquiry bodes
well for greater utilisation of the
skills and capacity of community
pharmacy.
“Pharmacists are highly trained,
are experts in medicines and
medication management, and are
located in communities throughout
Australia,” Lynch said.
“However, their role is far more
limited in Australia compared to
many other countries,” she said,
adding that one area of growing
concern where pharmacists could
make a real difference was the
rising number of medicationrelated
hospital admissions
amongst the ageing.
Tassone echoed Lynch’s
sentiments about the role that
pharmacists could potentially play.
“Like the PSA, the Guild feels that
pharmacists are underutilised in
the Victorian health system.
“Our submission to the committee
concentrated on the potential
of and benefits of pharmacist
delivered influenza immunisation,
minor ailment schemes and
screening and risk assessment
services that are appropriately
recognised and remunerated to
deliver positive health outcomes
and reduce burdens on an already
stretched healthcare system.”
Tassone said he was pleased at
the level of collaboration between
the PSA and the Guild in presenting
to the inquiry.
CLICK HERE to see the transcripts
of the evidence given by the PSA
and Guild.
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