QUEENSLAND'S two leading political parties are committed to supporting pharmacists being able to practice to their full scope ahead of this Sat's state election.
The incumbent Australian Labor Party (ALP) Government and the Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) backed a series of "election asks" from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch, with their positions on committing to change policy to allow pharmacists to access the National Immunisation Program (NIP), the only point of difference.
While the LNP committed to supporting pharmacist access to the NIP, Premier Annastacia Palaszuzck's ALP said it would retain the status quo.
However, both parties agreed to appoint a community pharmacy representative from the Guild to Queensland's Clinical Senate, and to support the current pharmacy ownership laws.
The two parties also said that they would back the "implementation of a Queensland Pharmacy Council with a narrow remit to enforce, monitor and uphold the integrity of the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2001".
The Guild noted that the Queensland Greens, One Nation, Katter's Australian Party and the United Australia Party, have yet to provide responses.
"The upcoming state election and the subsequent four-year term provides another important opportunity for Queensland to again make advancements in primary health care," a statement from the Guild said.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role that community pharmacy plays in maintaining the health and well-being of Queenslanders."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 28 Oct 20
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