GP’s back pharmacy roles
January 23, 2014
A GROUP of 23 UK health groups,
including the Royal College of GPs,
has said people should see their
pharmacists for minor ailments
before their GP or hospital
emergency department.
In an article published in The
Times, the groups said pharmacists
should be “the first port of call” for
coughs, the flu and minor ailments
to ease the burden on the National
Health System (NHS).
The groups said one in seven GP
appointments could be dealt with
by pharmacists who should be
seen as more than just prescription
dispensers, The Times reported.
Local pharmacies should be
actively promoted as the first
place of advice and treatment
for common ailments, the groups
said, and the NHS depended upon
community pharmacy.
In the article, Royal College of
GPs chairwoman Maureen Baker
was quoted as saying if people
recognised a problem but didn’t
feel very ill, it was reasonable to
think of seeing a pharmacist first.
“We’re not trying to discourage
people if they really want to see a
GP, but we’re saying it’s an option.
“They can walk in and see the
pharmacist very quickly, so it isn’t
dangerous.”
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
(PGA) said it had urged a similar
approach.
“The heartening aspect of the
UK development is that the call
is being spearheaded by doctors
groups.
“What a pity the Australian
Medical Association does not
adopt a similar common sense and
practical approach in the interests
of patients.”
Australian Medical Association
president Dr Steve Hambleton said
every participant in the health
system should be practicing within
the scope of their expertise and
that Australian pharmacists already
did give advice on minor ailments.
There was a good working
relationship between community
pharmacists and GPs, with
pharmacists referring patients to
GPs when necessary.
Pharmacists had extensive
training and it was entirely
appropriate that they gave advice
about minor ailments and issues,
Dr Hambleton said.
This already works in Australia,
and needs no change, he added.
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