‘It’s time’: Townsville pharmacists back to school for prescribing qualification

NQ pharmacists are inching closer to prescribing medicines and not just dispensing them, as study for a groundbreaking university course kicks on.

Pharmacists enrolled in the North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot who will be the first independent prescribers in Australia. Glen Clark, Katelyn Cameron, Laura Philip, Atlanta Knuth, Olivia Seri, Cate Whalan, Michael Hedlefs. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Despite the knowledge from five years of training, Townsville pharmacist Katelyn Cameron feels under-utilised, which is the reason she’s doing further study even with two toddlers at home.

Ms Cameron is one of 350 North Queensland pharmacists enrolled in or currently completing a postgraduate, year-long pilot course to be able to prescribe in-store.

“There are optometrists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, nurse practitioners prescribing and so now, I think it’s time for pharmacists, who are currently under utilised, very highly trained, and in a really tightly regulated profession, to work to their full scope and help the community,” she said.

Ms Cameron has too felt the effects of current burdens on the healthcare system, like stressing about getting her one and three year old to see a doctor.

“In the past, I have had trouble getting an appointment to see a general practitioner when my children have been unwell.

Pharmacist Katelyn Cameron is completing a one-year pilot course to complement her pharmacy degree, which will allow her to prescribe medicines to patients. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“And I feel that this pilot program will increase timely access to primary health care services and ease the pressure currently faced by doctors and nurse practitioners,” she said.

The 175 pharmacists in the first ‘cohort’ are about a quarter of their way through the course, having begun last month. The first half of the course is overseen by the Queensland University of Technology, the second half by James Cook University.

Pharmacist Cate Whalan is enrolled in the North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot and will be one of the first independent prescribers in Australia. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has previously criticised the course, saying pharmacists are not experienced enough to diagnose and treat.

However, Ms Cameron said pharmacies’ extended trading hours put the stores in “an optimal position” to provide primary health care and services when perhaps the public could not get an appointment with a GP.

The course will allow community pharmacists in North Queensland to prescribe medicines for common things like nausea, vomiting, reflux and mild skin conditions. They can also help with hormonal contraception, oral health screenings, weight management and support to quit smoking.

Pharmacists will also be able to prescribe medicines for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease risk reduction, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Originally published as ‘It’s time’: Townsville pharmacists back to school for prescribing qualification