Pharmacy Daily | Tasmanian Liberals make NIP pledge

TASMANIA'S Liberal Party is promising to provide more opportunities for pharmacists to support the health needs of patients across the State if re-elected on 01 May.

In a statement released this morning, incumbent State Health Minister, Sarah Courtney, said the Gutwein Government would "move to enable pharmacist immunisers access to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the first time".

"This will take place in line with other states and territories, including NSW most recently, and further improve access to vaccinations for the local community, helping to support high Tasmanian vaccination rates," Courtney said.

"We will work closely with local pharmacy stakeholders to ensure appropriate training and resources are developed, having already seen very successful pharmacy NIP access programs in other states and territories like Victoria, the ACT and WA.

"We recognise the role of GPs as the centre of care for patients, and their vital role in our communities, and these changes will only complement existing comprehensive GP provision around Tasmania.

"I thank GPs and pharmacists alike for their unwavering dedication to continuing improved patient care."

Courtney also pledged to undertake a scope of practice review for local pharmacists, to consider what other services and support the profession can safely provide for the community.

"On top of this, we will ensure pharmacists can access our $3 million package for primary health services and local GPs, to provide after-hours services for their local communities, as well as our $1 million Hospital Avoidance Co-Investment fund which will match private sector investment on a dollar-for-dollar basis to support capital upgrades that improve or expand facilities to deliver improved after-hours care," she said.

"Finally, we will also guarantee continuity of the current arrangements for community pharmacy ownership, which ensures stability and certainty for local services."