EMPOWERING pharmacists to work to their full scope of practice is not a revolutionary change for the profession, Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch Committee Member, Paul Jones, believes.
Jones (pictured) told delegates at Pharmacy Connect in Sydney last week that the development of pharmacist-delivered services was simply an evolution of the role that pharmacists have been providing for generations.
"I don't think it's some earth-shattering change," he said.
"Our scope of practice is actually evolving."
He urged pharmacy owners to take proactive steps to train pharmacy assistants and dispensary technicians to provide non-clinical services to free up their time to deliver professional services and support patients.
The Bathurst-based pharmacist said it was essential that "we define what our scope of practice is not somebody else".
"You've got to train your staff to support what you're doing," he said.
"For me it's how I free myself up from the simple things like picking up the phone... it's not actually a clinical role [although if no one else is available of course I'll answer it]."
Jones added that a review of the services his pharmacies provided showed patients were willing to pay a fee for services, highlighting his influenza vaccine campaign.
"Of the top five services [we provide] three of those were private, so patients are willing to pay," he said.
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