MALLEE pharmacists could soon be able to dispense certain medicines without a prescription in a trial later this year.
The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 has been amended to allow pharmacists to be legally authorised to supply, dispense and administer certain prescription medicines without a prescription.
The Bill passed in the Victorian Lower House last week after a Coalition-led amendment for a two-year trial period, instead of one, was blocked by the government.
It would provide access to treatment from a participating pharmacist for selected health conditions, such as minor skin infections, treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and reissue of oral contraceptives for women.
It would also expand the scope of pharmacist immunisers to administer travel and other public health vaccines.
Nyah West pharmacist Engshen Tan welcomed the program.
“GPs are always pretty full, so I think for pharmacists to be able to do this will really increase the turnover of our business and allow us to help customers in a timely way,” he told The Guardian.
“I don’t see any concerns with the program, as long as the type of medicines are limited.
“These medications still need to be given with care, and we will still have to be something on the frontline set up.
“The role of pharmacists grows every year, but my only issue is that I don’t think pharmacists are getting remunerated as per what we are doing, and I think it’s important that is discussed.”
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh agreed pharmacists were “an increasingly critical link in the primary healthcare chain”.
“There is no question in our minds that the concerns of the GP pharmacists are very real, very valid, and they need to be listened to,” Mr Walsh said.
“Our work with those in the field, at the frontline, has provided us with new, grassroots insights of the current healthcare crisis facing regional Victoria.
“At a time when GPs are backed up for weeks and months, when fewer are available to help staff smaller, local hospitals, making appointments as scare as hen’s teeth and waiting times ridiculously long, we need to include our GP pharmacists more in the system, not less, for people who don’t really need an appointment with their doctor, or take up a valuable place at emergency departments.”
Member for Mildura Jade Benham said community pharmacists were the “backbone of primary health care in our communities”.
“It is a lot easier to go and see your pharmacist a lot of the time for primary health care advice and direction than it is to get a doctors appointment, so it is great to see that pharmacists are being acknowledged for their skill level, which is fantastic,” she told parliament.
The Coalition supported the concept but sought to amend the trial period.
It was likely to have the support of the cross-bench in the Upper House for the amendment to pass in August.
