THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia has slammed as "totally inadequate" the current status of pharmacy assistants being regarded as 'consumers' according to Therapeutic Goods Administration advertising guidelines.
Because of this, the rules currently prohibit advertising of some types of therapeutic goods to pharmacy assistants, meaning they are unable to be fully informed.
"In 2018, with the advent of electronic health records, real time monitoring of specific medicines and the increasing burden of administrative tasks with professional pharmacy programs, pharmacy assistants can play a key, non-clinical role in supporting pharmacists," the Guild said in its submission to the Qld Parliamentary Inquiry into the Establishment of a Pharmacy Council and Pharmacy Ownership (see main story).
"A level of understanding in key clinical areas is essential, and one that requires education to pharmacy assistants by manufacturers and other health providers which is currently prohibited," said Queensland Guild president Kos Sclavos.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 16 Jul 18
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