Pharmacy Daily | Hospitals untapped resource

THE interim report of the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation "fails to acknowledge or leverage the pivotal role of hospital pharmacists in ensuring Australians have appropriate and convenient access to medicines", according to the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA).

In a submission responding to the interim report, the hospital pharmacy group reaffirmed the crucial value of including SHPA in Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA) negotiations and decisions, while highlighting management of transitions of care between hospitals and the community and prioritising the development of Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) as key aspects of the King Review.

SHPA chief executive Kristin Michaels says SHPA's response was driven by the unique position of hospital pharmacists as "progressive advocates for clinical excellence" and being "committed to evidence-based practice".

"As a vital stakeholder group, managing significant Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) resources and trained to most appropriately initiate and manage the transition of care to the community setting, it is crucial the role of hospital pharmacists in ensuring Quality Use of Medicines is recognised through the involvement of SHPA in CPA negotiations," Michaels said.

She added hospital pharmacists are equipped to influence a reduction in the 230,000 medicine-related hospital admissions per year in Australia, which cost the health budget $1.2b annually.

"Hospital pharmacists are an untapped resource in efforts to deliver truly patient-centred care, a goal which recognises people need considered guidance and support upon hospital discharge to ensure they can access and use the medicines they need," she said.

Michaels says SHPA will continue to welcome support of hospital-initiated HMR referral pathways, as expressed by the Review panel.

"It is important the proven value of medication review is fully realised by increasing access for high-risk patients through funding hospital initiated HMRs," she said, citing numerous international examples of how this had led to improved transitional care.