SOUTH Australian Health Minister Chris Picton has announced a $2.2 million investment over three years to drive expanding scope of practice, including support for the work of the Office of the Chief Pharmacist and financial support for 120 pharmacists to meet the additional costs of undertaking full scope training.
"We are unashamedly backing community pharmacists to undertake a greater role in our health system," Picton said.
"With additional training we are confident that skilled pharmacists can safely provide a broader range of services for the community, particularly in light of shortages of other primary care services."
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) applauded the announcement, with PSA SA and NT President Dr Manya Angley saying, "This is welcome investment in pharmacists operating to full and top of scope and our growing role in providing timely, accessible and safe care to South Australians."
"As the peak professional body for all pharmacists, we're looking forward to continuing to work with the SA Government and Chief Pharmacist Naomi Burgess to give South Australians better access to care by unlocking the full potential of our state's pharmacists," Dr Angley said.
The SA Government also announced that an additional 24/7 pharmacy has been planned for Adelaide.
Expected to start operating in Aug, TerryWhite Chemmart Hallett Cove will join the three existing 24-hour pharmacies already providing non-urgent advice and care for families, workers and others who need access to healthcare outside usual working hours.
Since they began just over a year ago, more than 270,000 people have visited the 24/7 pharmacies during their extended hours, dispensing more than 105,000 scripts and taking more than 10,000 phone calls from people seeking medical advice.
TWC Hallett Cove owners Pan Boyaci, Thai Ngo and Rob Pietrantuono said the team is excited to extend their support to the community after hours.
"This is a proud moment for our pharmacy and our local community," Pietrantuono said.
"We know that health concerns don't stick to business hours, and we're ready to provide trusted care and advice whenever our patients need it." KB
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