Pharmacy is the solution
September 30, 2013
A major new report into GP
shortages in rural Australia has
urged a significantly expanded
professional role for pharmacists,
as well as a “viable, cost-effective
remuneration model” for new
pharmacist-provided services.
Produced by independent public
policy think-tank The Grattan
Institute, the “Access All Areas”
report states that “the first step
is to make much better use of
pharmacists’ skills.
“Pharmacists are highly trained,
have deep expertise in medicines,
and are located in communities
throughout Australia.
“But their role is far more limited
in Australia than in many other
countries,” the report says.
Measures suggested, which would
only apply in the seven rural areas
with the worst shortages of GP
services, include the provision by
pharmacists of repeat prescriptions
to people with simple, stable
conditions.
Pharmacists should also be able
to provide vaccinations, and to
work with GPs to help patients
manage chronic conditions, the
report adds.
However the reforms would
require changes to the way that
pharmacists are paid, with a
‘blended’ payment approach
proposed in which pharmacists
providing repeats would receive
50% of the Medicare fee normally
provided to GPs for a Type A
consultation.
For chronic care the report
suggests a payment model where
pharmacists would receive a fixed
amount per patient per year, as
well as a small amount each time
they saw that patient.
Pharmacy Guild National
President, Kos Sclavos, said the
Guild particularly welcomed the
acknowledgement that pharmacists
should play an expanded role in
immunisation.
“Currently Australia is one of the
few Western jurisdictions that does
not have a program for pharmacists
to play this role,” Sclavos said.
He said proposed reimbursement
via the Medical Benefits Schedule
would also see the service provided
in a professional environment and
that the information would be
recorded on patient health records.
The report also acknowledges
that there is workforce capacity
for pharmacists to take on these
expanded roles, with the recent
expansion in pharmacy schools and
graduate numbers.
“The Grattan Institute is right -
it is time for Australian patients
to benefit from the increased
and optimal use of the expertise
and availability of community
pharmacists,” Sclavos said.
CLICK HERE to view the report.
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