PHARMACISTS' calls to be empowered to dispense commonly used medicines without a prescription in an effort to ease pressure on health services are "yet another example of the pharmacy sector trying to place financial gains ahead of patient care and safety", according to the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP).
Responding to the call expand pharmacists' scope of practice in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (PD yesterday), RACGP President, Dr Harry Nespolon, accused the Pharmacy Guild of Australia of attempting to profit from fears related to the virus, that could cause "tremendous harm".
"This is a cynical ploy from the Guild to exploit COVID-19 to achieve long sought-after changes that will hand greater power to retail pharmacies," he said.
"Ensuring a patient's continuity of care with their GP is vital.
"We don't just hand out medicines, we talk to our patients about preventative care, provide a check-up and carefully record their medical history."
"To take just one example, allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections is a recipe for disaster because one of the greatest challenges our healthcare system faces is antimicrobial resistance caused by the misuse and over-use of antibiotics.
"We are already seeing increasing resistance to antibiotics in urinary tract infections, so handing pharmacists these prescription powers is bad news for public health and safety."
Nespolon suggested that if pharmacists were keen to support the community in the event of a pandemic, they should support changes that would allow double dispensing.
"This would enable people to access two-month supplies of commonly prescribed medicines," he said.
"Unwell patients do not want to have to visit a pharmacy, where they will be surrounded by other unwell patients, more often than is absolutely necessary. "
A Guild spokesperson said the proposals made by National Vice President, Trent Twomey, "just make sense", stressing "this is not an intrusion into doctor territory, but a legitimate recognition that pharmacists in comparable countries are able to do more within their existing training".
"Australian patients should benefit from the expertise of pharmacists to take pressure off a stressed health system," the spokesperson said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 05 Mar 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 05 Mar 20
