THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) says "it's simply unacceptable" that more than half to over two-thirds of the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/questioning, Intersex, Asexual and more) communities report high levels of discrimination due to their sexual orientation and gender diversity, and in response has yesterday launched its Equality Statement.
The PSA statement is calling for pharmacists to reflect on how they can provide more inclusive, appropriate, and discrimination-free healthcare for LGBTQIA Australians.
The statement also calls on healthcare bodies to make changes to better facilitate inclusive healthcare.
PSA President Dr Fei said: "Stigma and discrimination cause significant negative health effects and lead to people avoiding healthcare entirely.
"As some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a specific duty of care to patients to ensure that healthcare is provided in an inclusive and appropriate way for all people.
"World Pride and Melbourne Midsummer festival are times when we celebrate the diversity of the community we live in and reflect on achievements in reducing and acknowledging discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA people.
"Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting transgender and gender diverse patients undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy," Dr Fei concluded.
The PSA says that the practical ways pharmacists can support LGBTQIA individuals include avoiding heteronormative and cisnormative language, ensuring pronouns and chosen names are routinely used and included in healthcare records, and recognising partners or family of choice as legally authorised decision-makers in their health.
The Equality Statement was driven by the highly supportive PSA's Early Career Pharmacists.
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