SUGGESTIONS that cases being referred to GPs and specialists shows the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland (UTIPP-Q) is flawed are wide of the mark, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), believes.
Responding to criticism of the program from the Australian Medical Association Queensland Branch (AMAQ) (PD 09 May), that pharmacists had missed complex conditions, PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, said the fact that patients had been referred to other practitioners highlighted the success of the program.
"The trial has clear referral pathways that include referring the patient to consult a GP (or other provider) if symptoms haven't resolved in 48 hours," he said.
"The fact that another provider has received the patient after referral and identified other conditions is an indication of success of the trial, it's exactly how collaborative team-based care should work.
"We are now over 8,000 occasions of service, with more and more women, not only accessing timely care from pharmacists, but then following up with their GP.
"The trial encourages collaborative team-based care - and this is exactly what is happening."
Meanwhile, the AMAQ has also flagged concerns about the proposed North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (NQPSPP), which is expected to start recruiting pharmacists in the coming months (PD 06 May).
A survey by the medical organisation reported that more than 50% of GPs said the NQPSPP "would deter them from working in North Queensland", with 96% saying they would be concerned about patient safety if the trial is given the green-light.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 May 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 10 May 22
