URGENT action is required to tackle the issue of inappropriate prescribing and medication use in aged care facilities, and pharmacists should be "front and centre" in fixing the problem, the Australian Greens believe.
Speaking at the launch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA's) Medicine Safety: Aged Care report (PD 26 Feb), former Greens Leader, Senator Richard di Natale, said "the facts do not lie", when discussing the high rate of medicine-related harm in the sector.
"Your report calls for the Government to take urgent action and commit the required funding to turn this problem around," he said.
"The Greens back you 100% in that and your call that pharmacists be front and centre in fixing this problem.
"This is an issue which will require collaboration across States and Territories and across sectors, but it must happen, and fast.
"Medicines safety is clearly a real problem and one that will require engagement with pharmacists to improve."
Di Natale said there were huge numbers of people doing "a wonderful job every day" in aged care facilities, but governments led by both the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party have failed to appropriately fund the sector and let "problems fester".
Meanwhile, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) CEO, Kristin Michaels, also voiced support for the PSA's report, saying its recommendations to improve safe and quality pharmacy care in Australia's aged care facilities, reinforced the call for physically embedded pharmacists within aged care teams.
Michaels said there was a need for greater funding to boost integrated multidisciplinary care.
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