CANBERRANS deserve the same access to basic healthcare as residents living in NSW, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) ACT Branch President, Olivia Collenette, believes.
Following the NSW Government's decision to launch a 12-month state-wide pharmacist prescribing trial for urinary tract infections (UTIs), oral contraceptives and medications for minor skin conditions and ear infections (PD 14 Nov), Collenette has called on the ACT Government to implement a similar pilot.
"Canberrans deserve better access to medicines, whether it's antibiotics for an infection or oral contraceptives," she said.
"Forcing a patient who has been on oral contraception for years, for example, to wait for a GP appointment to get their script renewed significantly limits the accessibility of contraception and basic healthcare.
"Pharmacists are Canberra's most accessible health care providers, we are ideally placed to support patients to access to contraception and basic healthcare."
Collenette said that allowing pharmacists to provide treatment for minor ailments would help bridge the access gap caused by GP shortages.
"When a patient has a painful infection and can't see their GP, they're going to go to the emergency department to seek treatment," she said.
"This is only putting more pressure on our already stretched hospitals.
"We know that GP shortages are not going to be fixed overnight.
"The ACT Government should take immediate action to allow pharmacists to support community health.
"The Government must put patients first."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 15 Nov 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 15 Nov 22
