Pharmacy Daily | Qld Guild prepares for NQPSPP start

PHARMACISTS in Cairns are being urged to prepare for the long-awaited North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (NQPSPP) to be given the green light by State Health Minister Yvette D'Ath.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen (pictured), briefed pharmacists and pharmacy staff on the imminent rollout of the trial at last night's People in Pharmacy Networking Dinner.

"The Guild and local community pharmacists now want to launch the pilot and start the journey to practice to full scope," he said.

"There has been overwhelmingly positive responses and significant interest from community pharmacists in the North Queensland region to participate in the pilot and undertake the 18-month post-graduate training required.

"Most importantly, recent independent research found that over 80% of North Queenslanders participating in the survey support the pilot and community pharmacists practicing to their full scope."

Owen added that the concept of pharmacists practising to their full scope was "not a new concept", but will relieve pressure on other healthcare providers.

"The pilot will bring North Queensland pharmacists in line with pharmacists practicing in parts of Canada, New Zealand and the UK and is expected to provide North Queenslanders the same positive health outcomes received by those country's residents," he said.

"Our focus remains on our patients in North Queensland.

"We reassure North Queenslanders that pharmacists are not replacing GPs, but rather working alongside them for better health outcomes for the community."

"Over the weekend, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service advised residents online that the emergency department was extremely busy with extended wait times.

"This shows that the pilot is a clear need in the North Queensland region to reduce the number of emergency department presentations and improve the community's access to safe, efficient, and convenient primary healthcare services."

"The success of the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot -- Queensland (UTIPP-Q) with 87% of women having symptoms resolved safely and effectively and its recent permanent implementation in Queensland community pharmacies, is another clear indicator that pharmacists can do more to meet the needs of their patients."

Speaking with Pharmacy Daily, Owen noted that the State Government pledged to implement the pilot as part of its election campaign last year, despite ongoing opposition from medical groups.