PLANS to launch a pilot program that will expand the scope of practice of pharmacists in North Queensland is being criticised by medical professional bodies.
Responding to reports published by Australian Doctor, about the proposed North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (NQPSPP), Australian Medical Association President, Dr Omar Khorshid, warned the project would deliver "second-rate healthcare".
"If this goes ahead, we will see pharmacists becoming de facto GPs, encouraged to diagnose and treat a range of potentially serious health conditions -- including prescribing and dispensing a range of medicines despite a lack of training," he said.
"Pharmacists are not doctors.
"They are experts in medication and a key part of community health care but lack the necessary training and experience that makes General Practice such a critical part of our health system.
"When a patient visits their GP, all their health needs are taken into consideration in arriving at a diagnosis and treatment plan.
"The Pilot proposes a very disease-specific approach, which means there is a very high chance that serious underlying health conditions will be overlooked or simply misdiagnosed.
"There are serious conflicts of interests involved in this proposal, with pharmacists encouraged to not only diagnose conditions, but also sell patients medications based on this diagnosis."
Under the proposed pilot, pharmacies will be able to charge patients up to $55 for health consultations, with any medications initiated being dispensed as private prescriptions.
A spokesperson for Queensland Health confirmed it has been working with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and other stakeholders "to design and implement a pilot of pharmacists working to full scope in North Queensland".
"The scope of the pilot is exploring an expanded role for community pharmacists across multiple areas, including medication supply and dispensing, prescribing and medication administration," the spokesperson told Pharmacy Daily.
"This work is being carried out in collaboration with key stakeholders.
"[And] timeframes for the commencement of the pilot are currently under review."
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