Pharmacy flood measures
January 14, 2011
THE Department of Health (DoH)
and Ageing has approved flood
affected pharmacists to work out of
temporary facilities if required.
The move follows emergency
talks between the DoH and the
Pharmacy Guild of Australia
regarding the need for flood
affected Australians’ ability to
access medicines.
Yesterday the Guild informed the
industry that if patients have lost
their prescriptions, medicines or
Medicare cards due to flooding,
they can visit the nearest pharmacy
to have their medicines dispensed
by a pharmacist under emergency
protocols (PD yesterday).
The Department of Health and
Ageing has also reassured flood
affected Australians that it is
“working with national distributors
of pharmaceuticals to ensure
medicines can continue to be
delivered to flood-affected areas”.
MEANWHILE last night the DoH
convened a ‘GP Round Table’ to
discuss the ongoing medical needs
of flood-affected regions.
The Department has also advised
that all aged care recipients living
in flooding zones have been
relocated to their families, local
hospitals or to locations “as
deemed suitable by the State
Emergency Service”.
Promises of support for flood
affected Australians who suffer
mental health problems as a result
of their experiences have also been
laid down, with the government
promising an extra $1.3 million in
funding for the Access to Allied
Psychological Services (ATAPS)
initiative.
“No doubt there will be lasting
mental health ramifications for
some residents in the flood
affected areas who may have
experienced loss or trauma,” the
DoH said in a statement.
“In the weeks and months
ahead, the Australian Government
will provide access to ongoing
support from allied health
professionals including
psychologists and social workers
through the ATAPS initiative,” the
statement added.
For more details visit
www.health.gov.au.
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