THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch has welcomed new laws allowing paramedic practitioners to deliver urgent care and prescribe scheduled medicines.
The passing of the State Government's Paramedic Practitioners Bill 2024 means paramedics will be able to assess, diagnose and treat patients in the field as well as make clinical decisions, providing Victorian patients with immediate treatment and easing the pressure on emergency departments.
"The expanded scope of practice of paramedic practitioners is another important step towards improved access to healthcare for patients in Victoria," said Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch President, George Tambassis.
The new laws were announced last year after the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot was declared a success, and was subsequently extended until 30 Jun 2025 (PD 06 Jun 2024).
The first 12 months of the pilot have seen more than 20,000 Victorians receive treatment conveniently and affordably at their local community pharmacy for everyday health conditions, including uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), oral contraceptive resupply, shingles and flare-ups of mild plaque psoriasis, and travel health vaccinations.
"The pilot is an important first step for community pharmacists to deliver more for Victorian patients, [who] should be able to access the same services that are already available at community pharmacies in other states and territories," Tambassis said.
He added that the Guild is actively working with the Victorian Government to enable pharmacists to practice at their full scope and provide prescribing and clinical services to patients for 24 everyday health conditions.
Authorising pharmacists to practice at full scope would align not just with the expanded role of paramedic practitioners, but also with reforms introduced by the state last year allowing authorised midwives to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 8 medicines.
"Enabling a range of healthcare professionals - paramedics, midwives and community pharmacists - to do more for patients will significantly enhance healthcare outcomes for Victorians while taking pressure off our healthcare system," said Tambassis. JM
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