Pharmacy Daily | Tasmanian scope review under way

THE new year will see the review of Tasmanian Pharmacists' Scope of Practice get underway, providing an opportunity for pharmacists in this state to 'catch up' to their colleagues in other jurisdictions, and for Tasmanians to be able to access basic healthcare more readily within their local community.

The Guild's Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O'Byrne, said that she is confident the review will result in a positive productive outcome for pharmacists and patients alike and reiterated that any changes will be underpinned by rigorous education and training for pharmacists.

"This review is an important opportunity to build on recognising that pharmacists working within their local communities are a professional skilled resource that in Tasmania is currently underutilised."

O'Byrne said that it is important that the review is not conducted in a vacuum and recognises the steps forward already taken in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Victoria in giving patients the choice and convenience of using their local community pharmacy for uncomplicated conditions where appropriately trained pharmacists will be able to diagnose, prescribe, treat, and manage a range of acute and chronic conditions.

"These governments have shown that they understand that pharmacists are a valuable healthcare resource which is currently underutilised in this country, particularly given the extreme GP shortage in regional and remote areas."

The National Medicines Policy framework, released just before Christmas, also highlights the focus on patient-centred medicines services, with the call for all healthcare professionals to work to their full scope to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

"Australian pharmacies are among the best in the world with teams that have the skills, knowledge, and capacity for delivering world-class primary care services.

"Everyone acknowledges that patients need more options when it comes to primary care due to the GP crisis and the inability to get an appointment in a timely manner," O'Byrne said.