Pharmacy Daily | PSA seek ACT pharmacist funding

PHARMACISTS in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are calling for funding and approval for programs that could reduce the burden on hospitals, improve quality use of medicines and bolster vaccination rates.

In a 2020/21 pre-budget submission, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has called on the ACT Government to provide $2 million to fund a two-year long pilot of an after-hours community pharmacy triage and referral service.

The PSA noted after-hours health services in the ACT, including walk-in centres and hospitals, were often operating at capacity, with large numbers of patients presenting with less-serious conditions that could be treated in a primary care setting such as a GP clinic or pharmacy.

"We believe community awareness of the few pharmacies trading for longer hours is low, and thus their service is under-utilised," the PSA said.

"The ACT's network of community pharmacies that trade outside of traditional retail hours are ideally positioned to support the management of many less-serious conditions and take the pressure off emergency departments."

The society estimated the pharmacist-led service could save $1.5 million a year by cutting the number of patients who attend an emergency department, but do not require admission.

PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, also called on the ACT Government to remove barriers limiting the territory's community from accessing vaccinations on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

"Pharmacists have been vaccinating Canberrans against influenza and pertussis since 2015 and pharmacist-administered vaccination has been shown to be safe, convenient and accessible," he said.

"However, funding and availability of pharmacist-administered vaccination in the ACT has not kept pace with other jurisdictions.

"While the training pharmacists complete to administer vaccines is similar to that of other health professionals, such as nurse practitioners, pharmacists are unable to provide eligible Canberrans with a similar level of access to vaccines funded on the NIP."

The PSA has sought $300,000 in funding from the ACT Government for a part-time pharmacist within the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, to improve access and adherence to medications.