Pharmacy Daily | More backing for WA pharmacy push

MOVES to expand the role of pharmacists in Western Australia are being backed by the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance (AHCRA), whose members include the Doctors Reform Society, Catholic Health Australia and the National Rural Health Alliance.

Speaking to WA Today, AHCRA Chair, Jennifer Doggett (pictured), voiced support for proposed moves to make greater use of pharmacists' skills, including providing repeat prescriptions for certain conditions.

She highlighted pharmacist influenza vaccination services as an example of sensible and effective use of the profession.

"With our ageing population and greater need for care for chronic and complex conditions, we need to make sure we use all available resources to their full potential.

"We should be saving the difficult stuff for doctors," Doggett said.

However, she agreed with criticism of the profession voiced by Australian Medical Association WA President, Dr Andrew Miller, who urged pharmacists to "stop selling useless pseudo science vitamins if you want to help people".

Doggett said it was concerning pharmacists promoted products "that don't work", but suggested the AMA was overly focused on maintaining the status quo.

"They don't need to worry their role will be undermined," she said.

"Pharmacists will in no way replace doctors, but some tasks can be done by pharmacists."

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Interim Executive Director, Pam Price, accused the AMA of being stuck in the past, "patrolling the turf like an ageing gamekeeper, blunderbuss and megaphone at the ready".

"What we say to the AMA, and to the RACGP (who have been equally negative and shrill in their opposition to a trial of pharmacist prescribing in Queensland) is: recognise the potential patient benefit and convenience this represents within a safe framework, and work with pharmacists to ensure it is implemented in a collaborative and expeditious way. Put patients first," she said.

"We are sure most GPs will adopt this positive approach, regardless of what their peak bodies may say."

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's WA Branch has said it is ready to work with the state Government to increase the scope of pharmacists, following the release of proposals to grant limited prescribing rights to pharmacy professionals.

"The evidence is clear, pharmacists have significant potential to reduce the number of medicine-related hospital admissions and adverse medicine events in Australia but are prevented from doing so due to barriers to fulfilling our scope of practice," said WA PSA Branch President, Dr Fei Sim.

"In its recommendations, the WA Government has taken the lead in recognising the potential of pharmacists and the need to expand their scope of practice.

"PSA and the pharmacy profession look forward to working with the WA Government on implementing these recommendations to allow pharmacists to improve healthcare access and outcomes, and reduce variabilities in care."