Aussies forking out big bucks on doctor visits only to be prescribed Panadol.

Patients around the country are wasting tens-of-millions of dollars each year on medical appointments with GP’s according to startling new research.

Australians are forking out tens of millions of dollars on doctor visits each year just to be told to take a Panadol.

New modelling from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia shows almost $65 million a year is being spent on appointments where patients are advised to take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

They were also more than $300 million out of pocket annually for quick GP visits for routine matters like medical certificates, repeat prescriptions or cough medicine.

National Pharmacy Guild president George Tambassis told the Sunday Herald Sun Australia’s healthcare system was not adequately adapting to the country’s ageing and growing population — leaving families with record costs and poorer access to GPs.

Pharmacists could play a bigger role in healthcare to relieve the pressure on doctors and save families money, he said.

George Tambassis, president of Pharmacy Guild of Australia, says pharmacists could play a bigger role in Australian healthcare and save patients money.

“Making greater use of pharmacists in the healthcare system would mean families don’t need to pay for a doctors’ appointment every time they need repeat prescriptions, treatment for a common ailment, or a vaccination and would ease pressure on already overworked GPs to spend more time with their patients, treating serious issues,” Mr Tambassis said.

The guild’s modelling was based on the Better Evaluation and Care of Health General Practice report, together with the most recent AIHW and Medicare data.

It showed Aussies were paying about $181 million in out of pocket costs to see GPs only to be told to take over the counter drugs of some kind, more than $30 million to get vaccinations and about $44 million to get doctors’ or wellness certificates.

Dr Tony Bartone says pharmacists should get medical degrees, if they want to do some of the work of GPs.

Victorian Pharmacy Guild president, Anthony Tassone said he often saw patients in his chemist who had come straight from the doctor’s and been referred for paracetamol.

“By coming to me first, I could’ve saved them time and money with the reassurance if it were more serious, I would refer them to their doctor straight away,” he said.

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AMA president Tony Bartone said if the guild wanted pharmacists to be doctors they should have medical degrees.

“GPs study and train for more than a decade to provide quality holistic care for individuals and families through all stages of life,” he said.

“I don’t think busy, dedicated community pharmacists … would agree with the guild’s push for pharmacists to take over the work of doctors.

“The collaborative relationship between local GPs and pharmacists works well, and should not be eroded.”

He said GPs knew their patients’ medical histories and often had long, enduring and trusted relationships.

“Undermining or diluting this relationship, as the Pharmacy Guild is proposing, is irresponsible and dangerous.”

A Sunday Herald Sun investigation last week showed Victorian GPs were charging up to $110 for a 15 minute appointment before Medicare rebates.

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