HIGH rates of unnecessary prescribing reported in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Australia's Health 2018 report highlights the need for greater integration of pharmacists in medication management roles, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) believes.
PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman (pictured), warned doctors' prescribing of medications they know are not indicated for the conditions their patients have presented could lead to increased risk of adverse events and anti-microbial resistance.
"Prescribing unnecessary drugs to patients is not good practice in terms of quality use of medicines," he said.
"The more medicines a person has to take and manage the more risk there is of a medication related problem.
"While there may be some situations in which a placebo might help a patient, the research released this week found doctors were most likely to prescribe an antibiotic.
"Unnecessary prescription of antibiotics can not only cause patients harm but impact on the future effectiveness of these vital medications.
"Increased utilisation of pharmacists as part of a collaborative health care team, including within general practice, will improve medication management and help educate consumers about quality and safe use of medicines."
On top of increasing the risk of adverse events, Freeman noted unnecessary prescribing was also impacting out of pocket costs.
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