AUSTRALIAN pharmacists "are clearly ready" to safely and effectively manage a wider range of non-prescription medicines, but the profession appears to have lost momentum in pushing for medications to be down-scheduled, academics from Griffith University believe.
A research paper published in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, reported that Australia had fallen behind in terms of optimising the use of pharmacists' skills in quality use of medicines, by restricting the availability of certain medications to Prescription-Only, when international evidence had shown they were safe for over-the-counter sale.
A survey of pharmacists found close to three-in-four felt there was a need for down-scheduling of certain medicines, with antibiotics the most frequently proposed drug class to be moved into the Pharmacist-Only category.
"Justifications for potential down-scheduling included improved consumer access to medicines; the promotion of safe access to effective medicines for acute conditions; alignment with other countries, and consumer and healthcare cost savings," the authors said.
"Some supported the concept of medication continuance without a new prescription for established medication regimens.
"Respondents prioritised medicines that would facilitate medication continuance for ongoing chronic or stabilised conditions, such as asthma, for example inhaled corticosteroids or hypertension, for example antihypertensives.
"Continuity of patient care was often discussed in qualifying text responses to support candidates for potential reclassification."
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