A forum hosted last week by the Pharmacy Board of Australia has proposed the next steps in allowing pharmacist prescribing in Australia, including identifying legislative changes in various jurisdictions "to allow pharmacists to prescribe under relevant models".
The day-long session included stakeholders from across the profession including hospital and community pharmacists, health department representatives, state and territory pharmacy authorities, consumer representatives and education providers.
According to a Pharmacy Board communiqu issued on Fri, discussions explored "the potential expanded role of pharmacists in prescribing in order to contribute to supporting access to medicines in Australia".
Participants noted that in Australia non-medical prescribing had already been successfully extended to dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, midwives and nurse practitioners under various models.
"Prescribing by pharmacists is an established component of practice in a number of countries, including New Zealand and the United Kingdom," the Board said.
Thoughts and opinions were shared on three models of non-medical prescribing proposed by the 2013 Health Professionals Prescribing Pathway Project which include autonomous prescribing, prescribing under supervision, or prescribing via a structured prescribing arrangement.
"Under each model the prescriber, no matter their profession, must recognise and prescribe according to their competence for their scope of practice, in accordance with legislative authorisation and with a collective approach to patient care," the Board summarised.
A further report detailing discussions on the day and further action to be taken will be published by the Board in coming weeks, the communiqu confirmed.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Jul 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 02 Jul 18
