THE Pharmacy Guild has expressed alarm at the negative attitude of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) to the expansion of pharmacist vaccination in Victoria (PD yesterday), describing it as "short-sighted opposition".
Anthony Tassone, president of the Victorian branch of the Pharmacy Guild, said "the fact is that immunisation is within the scope of pharmacists, as determined by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
"It's not appropriate for the AMA to dictate or direct what another autonomous profession's practice should be; that is up to regulatory boards, policy makers and the public," he said.
Tassone said in recent years Australia had been catching up with other countries where pharmacist vaccination was a safe and beneficial part of health systems.
"It's just common sense and good health policy for Australia to be making better use of skilled pharmacists," he said.
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