Gold Coast medics slam pharmacy COVID-19 testing trial as too risky

Pharmacists and doctors are at loggerheads over a controversial decision to trial COVID-19 testing in selected Gold Coast pharmacies – with some calling it too risky.

PHARMACISTS and doctors are at loggerheads over a controversial decision to trial COVID-19 testing in selected Gold Coast pharmacies.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles announced the pilot program on Wednesday. An aim is to make testing more accessible.

“Until we have an approved vaccine for COVID-19, we will continue to rely on methods like testing to keep Queenslanders safe,” Mr Miles said.

“That’s why we’re launching a pilot program to trial testing for COVID-19 in pharmacies.”

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The State Government has decided to start a trial on pharmacies conducting COVID testing in Queensland. Picture: Stewart McLean

Mr Miles said community pharmacies across the state could take part in the pilot project over the next few months and pharmacists would be given relevant training.

Collected specimens will be analysed by Queensland Health and managed according to existing Queensland Health procedures.

But the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has expressed concerns for the safety and wellbeing of pharmacists, pharmacy staff and the general public.

PSA’s national president Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the organisation did not “want people who potentially have COVID-19 wandering into a pharmacy to get tested”.

“We have continually asked members of the community not to enter a pharmacy if they are unwell and displaying COVID-19 symptoms,” he said.

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Pharmacies on the Gold Coast may soon be involved in COVID-19 testing under a proposal by the State Government. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“The concern is that this decision will put not only pharmacists at risk but those with chronic health conditions who regularly visit a pharmacy and are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.”

Gold Coast Primary Health Unit chairman Roger Halliwell said offering testing at pharmacies was “risky” with staff safety a big concern. This is because PPE requirements were significant and testing centres must have dedicated rooms for donning and doffing PPE with adequate handwash facilities.

“Finally, there are risks associated with the clinical assessment of patients, in particular the triaging of individuals needing transfer to hospital-based treatment with the requirement of a separate, dedicated area to resuscitate patients who may present in extremis,” he said.

General Practitioners Association head Dr Katrina McLean said it was already challenging keeping other patients safe in general practice without symptomatic people potentially heading to a pharmacy for a test.

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Testing at pharmacies has been criticised, but would make testing more accessible, particularly in rural and remote regional areas. Picture: Dean Purcell

“We have dedicated locations that are safe for people to be tested. These include our GP respiratory clinics, hospital fever clinics, pop-up clinics and private pathology,” she said.

“Our most vulnerable are frequently in pharmacies, collecting their medications and being guided in their chronic disease management. This announcement seems bizarre and potentially dangerous.”

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But the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, supports the trial, saying it will make testing more accessible to those in rural and remote regional areas.

Professor Trent Twomey said he encouraged community pharmacies to take part in the trial once registrations commence.

“Queenslanders are already presenting in community pharmacies with possible COVID-19 symptoms. It makes sense to opportunistically test those members of the community with possible symptoms, as they are already attending the pharmacy for their medications and healthcare advice,” he said.