Pharmacy Daily | Tas updates vax guidelines

TASMANIAN Premier Jeremy Rockliff yesterday released new guidelines for the Tasmanian Immunisation Program at a South Hobart pharmacy, with the update now including provisions allowing pharmacists to administer prescribed vaccines.

David Peachey, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA) Tasmanian Branch, hailed the move.

"Next time a customer takes a prescription for a vaccine to their local pharmacy, they can save a return visit to the medical centre by having their pharmacist administer it for them.

"This is in addition to medicines pharmacists can already authorise and administer, including influenza, COVID-19, whooping cough, and Measles/Mumps/Rubella."

Despite the breakthrough, Peachey noted the lack of funded remuneration available to pharmacists for the service.

"The PSA will also continue to advocate for the removal of cost discrimination on vaccine administration," he fumed.

"It makes no sense that patients cannot access a consultation fee for the administration of a vaccine, by pharmacists yet the MBS has provision for both nurses and medical practitioners to do this in general practice," Peachey said.

"As long as community pharmacists must continue to charge administration fees to cover the cost of this service, it will not reach its full potential."

Peachey said yesterday's move would help reduce pressure on wait times for medical services and provide a more convenient option for patients.

"Tasmanian pharmacists know all too well the overwhelming pressure and demand our medical colleagues are experiencing, and we welcome any initiatives which will remove an unnecessary step in accessing healthcare, such as vaccination.

"All health professionals need more time with their patients who have more complex health needs, and having local pharmacists administering more vaccines helps facilitate this."

The Society said it also continues to advocate for Tasmanian pharmacists to be able to authorise, as well as administer, routine and travel health vaccines, as pharmacists in NSW and QLD do.