LEAPS forward in pharmacists' scope of practice made during the COVID-19 pandemic must continue, Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, believes.
Speaking at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch Dinner in Sydney last night, the pharmacist-turned-politician, said the pandemic has highlighted the benefits pharmacists can deliver.
"Those of us in the room have always known the critical role pharmacists play in whatever setting, but I think what people have seen throughout the pandemic is how integral that is and how that underpins the health and wellbeing of so many Australians," she said.
"As a pharmacist myself, something I'm really passionate about [is] for us to be able to reach the top end of our scope of practice.
"We've seen leaps forward during the pandemic and this must be continued, and this progression has to continue.
"When I first started working as a pharmacist we were often defined by the setting we work in... [now] we're really seeing that pharmacists are not being defined by the setting they work in, or the building that we're working in.
"Increasingly pharmacists are working across settings and to the top of their scope of practice, using all their skills, training and expertise alongside GPs, nurses and other allied health professionals.
"And what we're really seeing is the benefit in patient care, the benefits in outcomes and the benefits to our Budget.
"It is something that I have tried through my role to continue to advocate for, and hopefully now in Government we'll be able to really progress."
Meanwhile, McBride took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard - who also addressed the event - during the pandemic.
"It's extraordinary what you have done in Australia's biggest state, and your leadership across the nation as well, it really made a difference," she said.
"You made people feel safe and feel reassured, and that's real leadership, so on behalf of myself and the incoming Federal Government, thank you."
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