FEDERAL politicians should not overlook the role community pharmacists play in supporting patients with mental health conditions.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, told Pharmacy Daily that the 55-page House of Representatives Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention interim report, which made no reference to the profession, was a missed opportunity to recognise the work pharmacists do to support patients in the community.
"The accessibility and consistency of personnel and service, of community pharmacies, are key factors in helping mental health patients," he said.
"Pharmacists also are often the first health professional mental health patients may consult and are key to ensuring medication regimens are adhered to."
Twomey noted that the Bridging the Gap between Physical and Mental Illness in Community Pharmacy Randomised Control Trial collaboration between the Guild, PSA, Griffith University and the University of Sydney, estimates that thousands of patients a year die prematurely.
"However, this mortality rate is generally due to health conditions experienced by the general population, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases," he said.
"Urgent attention is therefore required to address associated physical health concerns of this vulnerable population.
"Medications are a common treatment option for managing mental and physical illnesses, which are mostly obtained from community pharmacies.
"Pharmacists are well-positioned to improve mental health and associated physical healthcare, resolve any associated medication-related problems including medication adherence, and signpost consumers to other services."
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