Pharmacy Daily | Consumers’ support strong

THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has released the Pharmacists in 2030: Strengthening consumer voices report, an addendum to the Pharmacists in 2030 vision released in August this year (PD 07 Aug).

In it, consumers reaffirmed high levels of trust with pharmacists, and spoke of highly valued relationships with pharmacists on whom they rely for advice on the quality and safe use of medicines.

One of the key takeouts of the report, which was based on patient focus groups held as part of the broader Pharmacists in 2030 consultation process, was wide support for expanding pharmacists' scope of practice, including prescribing and participating in multidisciplinary teams.

In the words of one of the consumer panellists quoted in the report, "Pharmacists are specialists in medication and should work to the full scope of practice - we are leaving team members on the bench who can really add value".

Consumers are also keen to have more time with pharmacists, ideally in private consultation rooms, though recognised time constraints were a barrier.

As part of the report, the PSA has also made a series of commitments to ensure patients are better served by Australian pharmacists.

The commitments include maintaining a consumer network to inform and partner in PSA work, including policy and advocacy and the development of practice guidelines; and utilising the lived experience of consumers to inform pharmacist education.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim said the Pharmacists in 2030 consumer consultation was a powerful testament to how health sector policy can be strengthened with the views of patients.

"Patients and consumers are at the heart of everything we do as pharmacists, and should have a voice when policies are made for the system that is meant to serve them," A/Prof Sim said.

"Throughout our Pharmacists in 2030 project, PSA listened to both pharmacists and consumer focus groups, and the result is a stronger vision for the future."