Australian Medical Association Queensland branch warns against pharmacists prescribing medication

THE head of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association is warning against letting pharmacies treat and diagnose patients.

THE head of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association is warning against letting pharmacies treat and diagnose patients.

Dr Dilip Dhupelia said there was no evidence of an “unmet need” to justify the introduction of letting pharmacists prescribe medication themselves.

“It’s a time-honoured principle, separating prescribing and dispensing is the safest thing,” he said.

Dr Dhupelia’s warning comes as a regional hearing into the issue is held in Townsville today.

The inquiry is examining expanding the scope of pharmacists, the establishment of an independent pharmacy council and limited aspects of ownership.

Dr Dilip Dhupelia said there was no evidence of an “unmet need” to justify the introduction of letting pharmacists prescribe medication.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper is the chair of the Health Committee and said he was looking forward to hearing from regional pharmacists.

“I don’t want to anticipate the results of the hearings but the evidence gathering is very important,” he said.

Mr Harper said suggestions pharmacists would effectively become quasi-doctors was “complete overreach”.

“Pharmacists already contribute to community health outcomes through things like vaccinations or basic emergency scripts,” he said. “We want to be able to provide affordable health care and there are areas like a simple vaccine where a visit to a GP may not be necessary.

“I don’t think pharmacists want to go so far as to be acting like a doctor … it’s a sensible approach we’re taking with this committee to hear about the issues of ownership and regulation in the industry.”

Dr Dhupelia said every opportunity to see a doctor was not only about having a script filled.

“If pharmacists work in tandem with general practices it will save readmissions to hospitals and therefore save the State Government a lot of money,” he said.

However, Cate Whalan, who owns pharmacies in Townsville said with more demand than ever on the health system, an ageing population and rising chronic disease, Queensland’s community pharmacies were well placed to meet that need.

“There has always been strong support for pharmacists to be the first port of call for minor ailments – it’s based on the trust in which pharmacists are held,” she said.

The inquiry is at Rydges Southbank today from 9-11.30am.

Originally published as Australian Medical Association Queensland branch warns against pharmacists prescribing medication