Extension is the answer
August 2, 2011
EXISTING pharmacy schools
should be focused on opportunities
for the extension of pharmacist
roles, not on preserving their “cosy
existence”, according to Sydney
pharmacist John Bronger.
Speaking out against calls for a
moratorium on new pharmacy
schools Bronger said he had seen
no evidence of an over abundance
of qualified pharmacists willing to
work the hours available.
“A decade ago there was a real
shortage of pharmacists leading to
pharmacist owners doing long
hours that were detrimental to
their health, occupational safety
and increasing the likelihood of
professional error,” he said.
“It wasn’t until new pharmacy
schools became available that the
older schools increased their
intakes so we are now starting to
see some balance occurring” he
added.
According to Bronger, the
extension of pharmacist roles to fill
in some of the service gaps created
by shortages in other health
professional roles (nurses, diabetic/
asthma educators, OTs and GPs) is
the solution to any perceived
oversupply of pharmacists.
“The opportunity is there for all
who can see that supply focus must
be replaced with supply and
professional services,” he said.
“This combination needs to be
well funded and delivered by well
trained pharmacists from pharmacy
schools who are in competition
with each other to offer the best
training... training to develop
pharmacist who can handle the
changing times,” he added.
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