PHARMACISTS will be able to provide Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement-funded medication reviews to patients over video and teleconferencing platforms from tomorrow (PD breaking news).
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Dr Chris Freeman, said the decision would boost medicines safety and reduce the risk of pharmacists contracting COVID-19 while conducting reviews.
"Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists are adapting and innovating to ensure they continue to provide the best healthcare for their communities," he said.
"Allowing medicine reviews via telehealth whether it be on videoconference or teleconference is a common sense decision.
Freeman said the PSA would continue to engage with the Federal Government and push for a relaxation on rules around the frequency at which patients can receive Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs).
"Currently pharmacists can provide just one HMR per patient every 24 months with similar restrictions imposed on RMMR and MedsCheck programs and I am calling on the Government to allow pharmacists to be able to perform additional follow-ups as clinically necessary," he said.
"In a time where so much attention is given to managing the immediate COVID-19 pandemic, we must also not lose sight on the importance of chronic disease management and the safe and quality use of medicines"
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