JURISDICTIONS implementing measures to expand pharmacists' scope of practice will need to clearly define their roles, Tasmanian Senator, Tammy Tyrrell, believes.
Speaking in the Federal Senate yesterday, the Jacqui Lambie Network Whip voiced her tentative support for the Tasmanian Government's review of pharmacists' scope of practice, to bolster access to healthcare.
"We know that we don't have enough GPs," she said.
"Small towns like Ouse and Campbelltown are losing their clinics.
"People need to access medication and they are struggling to get it.
"That's why I was pleased to hear that the Tasmanian State Government is looking at whether we should expand the powers of pharmacists.
"If allowing pharmacists to do scripts for things like asthma, migraines, oral contraceptives and chronic illnesses meant that people would get the medicine they need when they need it then this would be a step in the right direction.
"I don't think pharmacists should be able to prescribe everything, it should only be lower-level stuff.
"Maybe it could only be something a doctor had initially prescribed, and you could only get so many repeats before you need to go back to the doctor.
"Pharmacists will also need extra training to do this."
Tyrrell added that authorising pharmacists to prescribe would not remove the need for patients to visit their GP.
"I think there should be clear boundaries and a line in the sand between pharmacists and doctors," she said.
"It is not a substitute for seeing a GP, and I'm not saying it should be.
"But it's pretty clear that we need to look at outside-the-box solutions when it comes to health in Tasmania.
"People are dying because they cannot get the care they need.
"I look forward to seeing the outcome of the State Government's review."
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