THE Pharmacy Board of Australia announced yesterday that it has begun work to establish an endorsement for scheduled medicines for pharmacists, and when approved will support a consistent, safe and nationally coordinated approach to pharmacist prescribing.
This will enable appropriately trained prescribing pharmacists to have their registration endorsed by the Board as being "qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply and/or use scheduled medicines".
The endorsement was requested by health ministers, and aims to standardise the qualifications required by pharmacists who prescribe scheduled medicines in accordance with authorisations determined by each state and territory, as set out in local medicines and poisons legislation.
"This approach will enhance public protection and facilitate workforce mobility - both core objectives of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory," the Board stated.
The Board will establish an expert advisory committee on pharmacist prescribing; develop a registration standard; engage with a broad range of stakeholders; and publish a consultation paper to gain broader feedback.
The Board is also funding the Australian Pharmacy Council's review of the accreditation standards for pharmacist prescriber education programs, designed to enable greater national consistency (PD 11 Sep).
The news has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, with National President Professor Trent Twomey describing it as a "pivotal step for patients and the community pharmacy profession, with the potential to unlock consistent, safe and accessible care".
"An endorsement framework is critical to ensuring community pharmacists can deliver services to the full extent of their training, skills, knowledge and experience," Professor Twomey said.
"We know community pharmacists are already delivering these services successfully in specific states - this enables better planning, mobility and clarity for practitioners."
Professor Twomey said the Guild is looking forward to working with the Board as part of the process, reflecting the evolving role of pharmacists as prescribers.
"With appropriate training and governance, pharmacist prescribing will mean more patients are able to access convenient, local care for everyday health conditions, reducing pressure on GPs and emergency departments," Professor Twomey said.
"Ultimately it will lead to healthier communities," he concluded. KB
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