FUNDING is set to be made available to deliver a real time prescription monitoring (RTPM) system in NSW.
The move announced in the NSW 2020/21 Budget is part of the State Government's pledge to invest $29.3 billion in recurrent and capital funding in the NSW health system.
Welcoming the announcement, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, said the implementation of an RTPM system would "better inform clinical decision-making and improve medicine and patient safety".
"Deaths from prescription medicines have outpaced deaths from illicit drugs in Australia and RTPM will reduce inappropriate multiple prescribing events, reduce fraudulent prescribing and improve quality of care by facilitating a patient-centred approach," she said.
Felkai also backed the NSW Government's $55.9 million investment to increase support for palliative care services.
"PSA has worked alongside the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) in supporting palliative care education for pharmacists who play a vital role in increasing access to core medicines for anticipatory prescribing, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support end of life care," she said.
The Budget also included $1 billion for the purchase of personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, and $169.4 million over four years for mental health.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 18 Nov 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 18 Nov 20
