NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, and Chief Medical Officer, Kerry Chant, are being hailed for their "pragmatic" decision to extend emergency prescribing measures in the state (PD Breaking news).
The move will see emergency authorities granted to pharmacists to dispense 30-day supplies of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications to patients without a prescription, during the state's bushfire crisis earlier this year (PD 09 Jan) continue until 30 Sep.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, told Pharmacy Daily, he was optimistic that similar provisions would be rolled out across the other states and territories.
"I want to thank Brad Hazzard and the Chief Medical Officer, Kerry Chant, because these are pragmatic measures that benefit the patient, especially those who have to self-isolate , that cannot see a doctor," he said.
"NSW going first will hopefully send a domino effect through the other states and then the Federal Government, I believe will come through with the PBS.
"The provision [as it stands] is we can give a month's medicine, but not necessarily under the PBS.
"So [Minister for Health] Greg Hunt just needs to approve the PBS supply [as he did during the bushfires]."
Heffernan added the Guild would continue to work with the NSW Health Ministry to support pharmacists.
"Everyone is working together an doing their best," he said.
"We're working with the Ministry and looking at other pragmatic solutions to benefit the patients and make life easier for pharmacists, because they're under a lot of pressure at the moment."
Guild Branch representatives from a number of other states and territories have voiced their support of the roll out of similar emergency prescribing authorities for pharmacists.
Emergency dispensing measures relating to the bushfire crisis are currently in force in Victoria until 01 Apr, with approvals announced during the fires in the ACT and South Australia also set to expire on 31 Mar.
Poll: should emergency dispensing authorities be granted to pharmacists nationwide - have your say HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 26 Mar 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 26 Mar 20
