Call for pharmacist Locals
July 21, 2011
PHARMACISTS should have
formal representation in the
new Medicare Locals system,
according to the peak
Pharmacist Coalition for Health
Reform (PCHR) group.
The comments come on the
back of yesterday’s decision to
invite the Australian General
Practice Network (AGPN) to
establish a new national body
to oversee the Medicare Local
network (PD yesterday).
“The PCHR welcomes the
involvement of the AGPN in the
scheme and urges the new
national body to consider the
important services that
pharmacists can deliver within
Medicare Locals,” said PCHR
spokesperson and CEO of the
Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia, Liesel Wett.
“Pharmacists have in-depth
knowledge and expertise in
medicine and disease
management and can work
alongside other health
professionals to provide a
coordinated approach to health
care for all members of the
community,” she added.
Wett said that pharmacists
should be Medicare Locals
because a large portion of
Australians visit them every day
for medicines.
In addition, pharmacists can
deliver chronic disease
management services to
Australians suffering diabetes,
heart conditions and arthritis,
keeping them healthy and out
of the hospital system.
“Research has shown that the
community supports a greater
role for pharmacists, with over
75% of respondents saying
pharmacists should provide
advice on the right mix of
medicines, monitor the impacts
of those medicines and work
closer with GPs to make decisions
on medicines,” she said.
“It is in the best interests of
the community for pharmacists
to be formally integrated into
Medicare Locals,” she added.
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