Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacists have skills to prescribe

PRESCRIBING should be within pharmacists' scope of practice, Queensland University of Technology Head of School for Clinical Sciences, Professor Lisa Nissen, believes.

Nissen backed the profession in an article published by The Conversation following Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, announcing his Government would implement a trial of pharmacist prescribing if re-elected.

"Scope of practice means the pharmacist has the training, plus the authority [what the state law about medicines allows], as well as accountability," she said.

"This means being accountable to a professional board and the public to be safe.

"Pharmacists already have demonstrated expertise, skill and training in medicine use.

"Pharmacists understand their role in the health-care team and the role of medicines for patients.

"Given their training and expertise in medicines, they certainly can and should prescribe."

In the same article, Macquarie University Centre for Health Economy Director, Professor Henry Cutler, also voiced support for authorising the expansion of pharmacists' scope.

"Australia has a shortage of GPs," he said.

"People are waiting longer to be treated, potentially leading to worse health outcomes.

"Pharmacists should play a greater role in helping the health system deliver better-value care.

"Allowing patients to access triptans without a prescription to treat migraines would also increase health outcomes and be cost-effective.

"While any decision to allow pharmacists to prescribe should evaluate risks, decision-makers should also consider all potential benefits and costs to patients and the health system."

However, Australian National University Medical School Clinical Associate Professor Louise Stone, raised concerns in the piece about pharmacists' capacity to prescribe and suggested the Pharmacy Guild of Australia had "negotiated state government-endorsed antibiotic prescribing, bypassing the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the independent authority which determines who can prescribe safely".