THE latest NAB Health Insights report shows Australians are prioritising health with fewer cutting or cancelling their spending due to cost-of-living pressures compared to last year.
Despite heightened concerns over inflationary pressures, convenience tops consumers' health wish list when choosing a health professional, with six in 10 selecting ease of access as the most important factor.
This may explain why expanding pharmacists' scope is favoured by patients, NAB's Head of Behavioural and Industry Economics, Dean Pearson told Pharmacy Daily.
"The report of 1,050 adults revealed that one in two consumers believe pharmacists should be able to renew prescriptions for ongoing treatment, and around four in 10 agree they should be authorised to provide emergency dispensing of medicines," explained Pearson.
"Pharmacists should also be able to prescribe and administer appropriate travel health vaccines and medicines, diagnose and prescribe for minor ailments and illnesses and manage common conditions such as back pain and eczema," he added.
However, rural areas are feeling the pressure, with 34% of consumers switching to lower-cost medications, compared to 27% in capital cities.
Telehealth is most popular for prescription renewals at 30%, but consumers are cautious about expanding pharmacists' roles.
Only 8% support pharmacists diagnosing or prescribing for complex issues.
Less than 20% agree they should interpret lab tests (16%) or stop the prescribing of a medication (18%).
A much lower number over the age of 55 said pharmacists should be allowed to do none of these things (11%) - half that in younger age groups. JG
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