REGULATORY barriers capping the frequency at which pharmacists can review aged care residents' medications need to be changed to boost patient safety, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Interim Report recommends.
The 272-page report called on the Federal Government, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) to lift the cap on funding for Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs) in the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA).
The report cited the findings of the 2017 Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes by former ACT Chief Minister and pharmacist, Kate Carnell, and Professor Ron Paterson, who had called for RMMRs to be conducted on a patient's admission into an aged care facility and after any hospitalisation, significant deterioration or change in medication regimen.
The Royal Commission Interim Report also suggested fresh subsidies should be provided to support pharmacists in the aged care sector.
PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, welcomed the report's recommendations.
"There is no doubt that the absence of regular pharmacist services in aged care facilities is causing harm," he said.
"When you don't have the right level of investment in pharmacists, this is the outcome which results.
"Pharmacists are well aware of these problems.
"PSA members have told us they feel hand-cuffed by the lack of funding and regulatory barriers which prevent them from protecting residents from the harms caused when medicines are not used in a safe and effective way," Freeman said.
The report also noted evidence highlighted during the hearing that "service provision for RMMR has eroded markedly over the past years", a point that was echoed in the Commonwealth Department of Health's annual report (PD 29 Oct).
Guild National President, George Tambassis, also voiced support for the report.
"We stand ready to take part in the proposed review of RMMRs with the aim of ensuring rules and eligibility requirements for these medication reviews are designed for the best possible health outcomes for aged care residents," he said.
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