GETTING this model right is pivotal to creating a nationally consistent framework supporting safe, accessible care in community pharmacies across Australia.
This matters for our profession.
We must ensure the right model is adopted - one that improves workforce mobility, service delivery, and professional development.
Autonomous, or independent, prescribing has already been shown to work internationally.
It has been proven to be safe, and to reduce GP waiting times and unnecessary hospital admissions.
Yet, as pharmacists, we continue to see misinformation spread by groups claiming to represent doctors.
Some pharmacists may feel uncertain about how to maintain good relationships with their local GPs while expanding the services they offer.
On the ground, the reality is very different.
Prescribing pharmacists across the country are working closely with GPs.
They share patient information and collaborate within their training and expertise to support better health outcomes.
Pharmacists are well placed to provide consultations for uncomplicated UTIs, to initiate hormonal contraception, and treat everyday health conditions like impetigo or otitis externa.
Prescribing pharmacists can also triage and refer patients to other parts of the health system when a condition is more complex or beyond their scope of practice.
This fosters constructive GP-pharmacist relationships.
GPs will soon realise that pharmacists are not trying to replace them but rather value their expertise, and have received additional clinical training to approach consultations differently.
Pharmacists need an endorsement model that enables autonomous prescribing.
It's right that we push to serve our patients to the full extent of our training, skills and experience.
And on the ground, we will continue to work with our GP colleagues to ensure patients can access healthcare safely and conveniently through their community pharmacy.
Professor Trent Twomey is the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
This column is part of a series addressing various issues around expanded scope of practice.
If you have questions for Professor Twomey, send them to scope@guild.org.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 Nov 25
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