PHARMACISTS operating in flood-affected parts of Victoria are seeing a surge in requests for medications to be provided under continued dispensing measures.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, told Pharmacy Daily that the flood crisis hit the State just days after the Andrews' Government issued a declaration that COVID-19 pandemic and associated orders had ended last week, limiting pharmacists' ability to provide emergency supplies of prescription medicines.
"The Guild has been receiving increasing reports from our members of the need to close their pharmacy or only offer limited services for patients due to the floods," he said.
"Our members are receiving a surge in requests for continued dispensing from patients to obtain more supply of their prescription medicines who are unable to obtain a new prescription from their GP (even via Telehealth).
"Unfortunately the narrower scope of medicines eligible for a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy given via continued dispensing that came into effect from 30 Jun after the ending of the emergency arrangements during COVID has hit patients hard.
"The Guild said from the outset that the ongoing list of medicines eligible for PBS subsidy with continued dispensing should be at least the same as the emergency arrangements throughout the COVID pandemic.
"Pharmacies impacted by the floods are doing their best to ensure continuity of care for their patients in some cases having to refer them to another pharmacy or a public hospital service.
"The Guild continues to engage with the Victorian state government and agencies to collaborate on helping ensure ongoing medicine supply to Victorian community pharmacies and their patients."
Meanwhile, the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA), which represents Community Service Obligation (CSO) wholesalers, has confirmed it has activated emergency plans to deliver medicines.
NPSA Chair, Richard Vincent, said wholesalers were working round the clock to plan routes to secure deliveries to pharmacies where possible.
"At times like these our expertise in medicines logistics is vital in finding innovative solutions to support communities in crisis," Vincent said.
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