Pharmacy Daily | Tegen’s vision for rural pharmacy

PHARMACISTS working in rural and regional areas continue to face unique challenges their city-based counterparts do not, and may not even be aware of.

In an interview with Pharmacy Daily, National Rural Health Alliance CEO Susi Tegen (pictured) said pharmacists are relied upon heavily, but were under-supported andundervalued by those who do not live and work in rural and regional Australia, yet are highly utilised by communities and by other clinicians.

"We need pharmacists in rural communities, as they are part of the fabric that makes up communities," said Tegen.

"Like any clinician working in rural areas, they are part of a multidisciplinary team which is sometimes spread across tens, hundreds or thousands of kilometres," she said.

"We need acknowledgment for effort, and support for what is needed where the market fails or is thin - or where there is no market."

Rural pharmacists also need time and support for professional development, as well as locum support, she says, in addition to "support and camaraderie from others in health community, and an understanding of rural situations - without 'geographic narcissism'."

It's important to understand that rural communities "are different, and often do not have the networks, the infrastructure and funding that those in the city have.

"Make policy and funding for rural pharmacists and communities fit for purpose, otherwise it is a waste," she says.

"We need consistent rural funding that reflects place, the tyranny of distance, the cost of service delivery and the fact that it is harder to cross-subsidise."

And that funding has to be equitable.

"We have seen pharmacists in the same town receive different treatment in funding and support, despite being around the same size and serving a vast region."

Attracting more pharmacists to live and work in rural communities is another area to be addressed.

"Support for rural training, accommodation and moving to a community while they are still paying for their city rental property are needed.

"If this does not exist, why should anyone be interested?

"Defence, the police force and mining industry do this well, so why can't health?"

Tegen would also like to see more students with a rural background selected into university training programs, "as they are exponentially more likely to stay rural or move [back].

"This is particularly so for Indigenous students and trainees."

Ultimately, she says, "rural is not down and out, but resilient and amazing." KB

You can read the full interview with Susi Tegen in the Pharmacy Daily Year in Review.

Featuring interviews with pharmacy leaders and a wrap of this year's top stories, the Year in Review is hitting inboxes today.