FAMILY Planning Australia (FPA)supports pharmacists working to their full scope of practice - including prescribing hormonal contraceptives - but stated this should not replace a client's ongoing care with their primary care provider.
"We know initiatives like pharmacy prescribing of contraceptives can increase access to care and essential medications, with a range of models currently being trialled or rolled out across Australia," CEO Sue Shilbury (pictured) told Pharmacy Daily.
"While we encourage people to maintain a relationship with a GP for their ongoing care, we recognise that these initiatives may also support people when a visit to their regular GP is not possible - for example, women in regional areas can have greater difficulty getting timely and affordable care near where they live."
In recognising potential health and safety risks linked with hormonal contraceptives, Shilbury reinforced the need for healthcare workers prescribing contraceptives to have appropriate training, and have measures in place to protect patient safety, confidentiality and contraceptive choice.
"It's essential that pharmacists are adequately trained and have access to up-to-date guidelines in determining whether the supply or resupply of contraception is appropriate and safe, or whether the patient should be referred to a doctor for further assessment," Shilbury said.
"Quality, best-practice training and continued professional development are key to safe, successful implementation of pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraceptives, and this function should not replace a client's ongoing care with their GP or primary care provider," she concluded. KB
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