CURRENT rural pharmacy funding models based on Australian Bureau of Statistics and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data fail to recognise the vital non-dispensing services pharmacists in regional and remote locations provide, one owner believes.
Western Australian pharmacist, Joanne Loftus, told Pharmacy Daily her pharmacy in Northampton - more than 50km north of Geraldton - had seen funding through the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) plummet by $7,500, under the Modified Monash Model for rural classification (MMM).
"The whole system needs reviewing," she said.
"The Government pulls all of its data to make these policy decisions based on ABS and also Medicare/PBS data.
"That would be wonderful if all I did everyday was scripts, but I don't.
"I immunise, I treat minor wound care, I am constantly triaging the health of my patients with minor ailments so they don't overwhelm our local hospital and GP surgery.
"I provide mental health counselling- yes I do make some money from the sale of product but often it is a free service.
"Doing things for free does not pay the bills.
"The costs to employ another pharmacist are now out of reach for me."
Loftus said that in 16 years living in the town 10 doctors had come and gone, highlighting the need for the introduction of an employment incentive program for pharmacists and nurses to work in the bush, similar to the one offered to GPs.
"There needs to be a better way to deal with healthcare in rural areas, especially when there is no GP," she said.
"The health outcomes for a person in a rural area are significantly poorer than those in metro areas.
"The Government should be supporting those healthcare professionals still left in town to help improve these statistics.
"If that means allowing pharmacists to also prescribe- well so be it."
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