The Pharmacy Guild and the Australian Medical Association are in "furious agreement" about collaboration between doctors and pharmacists, with AMA president Michael Gannon backing pharmacy absence from work certificates.
In a joint interview on channel 9 with Guild President George Tambassis last weekend, Gannon acknowledged pharmacists and their "high level of training in understanding medication, dispensing them, being conscious of drug interactions".
However for sick leave relating to absences more than one day and repeat prescriptions Gannon said visiting the GP is important.
The discussion centred around an interim report from the Medicare review which has suggested a range of reforms to reduce the costs of the health system to taxpayers.
Tambassis said pharmacists can help with minor ailments and OTC medications to allow local doctors to concentrate on more chronic diseases.
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