PROMPTED by yet another emergency situation threatening medicines access for patients, namely the tragic Townsville floods, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has called for three key changes around medicines supply to consumers.
Writing in the weekly Forefront editorial, the Guild expressed the concern that all health professionals have for patients unable to have timely access to their essential medications.
"The Guild believes the current arrangements in all jurisdictions are inadequate to efficiently support patients in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, flood or cyclone when people can be displaced, essential medical services can be disrupted and people are at their most vulnerable."
Three propositions have been put to the Federal Government seeking coordinated response from Commonwealth, states and territories working together through the COAG Health Council to implement these changes as soon as possible:
1. An expansion of Emergency Supply provisions in all States and Territories to enable supply by a pharmacist without prescription.
2. An expansion of the range of pharmaceutical benefits for Continued Dispensing.
3. Prescription Renewal arrangements for all stakeholders to improve medication use efficiencies via a Community-Based Medication Chart.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 21 Feb 19
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 21 Feb 19
