GP clinic phcy model call
April 28, 2016
THE Australian Government
should follow the United Kingdom
to provide funding support to
integrate pharmacists into general
practice clinics, according to the
peak national organisation for
pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical
Society of Australia (PSA).
NHS England, the mouthpiece
of the British Department of
Health, has announced a £112m
(AU$211m) investment in new roles
for pharmacists in general practice,
which is expected to lead to an
extra 1,500 pharmacists in general
practice over the next five years.
PSA national president Joe
Demarte said the UK’s innovative
pharmacist-GP model should be
urgently considered with funding
from the Federal Government as
part of the 2016-17 Budget.
“There’s been an overwhelmingly
positive response to having
pharmacists in general practice
clinics in the UK – and many
other countries, including New
Zealand, Canada and the USA
now have pharmacists providing
clinical services in general practice
settings,” Demarte said.
“Australian pharmacists
are highly-qualified health
professionals however their skills,
knowledge and expertise often
go under-recognised and under-utilised,”
he added.
In its 2016-17 pre-Budget
submission, the PSA urged the
Government to consider how
existing health resources can be
better coordinated and targeted
within a collaborative primary
healthcare model to improve health
outcomes for all Australians.
“International experience shows
pharmacists in a general practice
setting not only improves patient
health but can also strengthen links
between local general practices and
community pharmacies,” Demarte
argued.
He said the model PSA supports
could allow greater integration
of pharmacists and community
pharmacies within the primary
healthcare setting to ensure
alignment and coordination of
services, including those funded
through the 6CPA.
“This model is good for patients,
good for pharmacies and good for
general practices.”
“Practice pharmacists assist
with medication enquiries from
patients and health professionals,
conduct staff education, mentor
new prescribers, participate in
case conferences, liaise across
health sectors and evaluate drug
utilisation to ensure optimal
therapy,” Demarte summarised.
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