IMPLEMENTING legislation to allow telepharmacy to become a permanent feature of healthcare is a "no-brainer" South Australian MP, Connie Bonaros, believes.
Speaking in the State Legislative Council, the SA-Best MP, backed the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (SA) (Telepharmacy) Amendment Bill, which will allow the Pharmacy Regulation Authority SA (PRASA) to authorise the remote supervision of pharmacies by pharmacists in the State.
Bonaros said the Bill did not appear to create any loopholes of new business models to operate entirely by remote means, and would benefit remote patients.
"Telepharmacy services will only be authorised in certain circumstances, namely, when a person would not otherwise be able to access pharmacy services in a timely and direct manner and when all reasonable steps have been taken for code of conduct compliance by the provider," she said.
"Again, as 2020 has proven, the delivery of pharmacy care via telecommunication has proven to be an invaluable healthcare tool.
"Remote consultations were already gaining traction in the pre-COVID era but...I think it is fair to say that the events of this year have cemented the future of these practices as part of the healthcare sphere.
"It is a practical solution to the tyranny of distance, immobility and disease control.
"It means pharmacists can see more patients, work more flexible hours and continue to operate extended business hours without requiring the physical attendance of staff.
"In my view, the Bill is a no-brainer."
Bonaros also backed pharmacists to play a greater role, saying they were "perfectly positioned to identify mental health risk factors, especially for the most isolated and vulnerable".
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