A new report released by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia with modelling that shows potential economic benefits of autonomous pharmacist prescribing has failed to sway general practitioners on the proposal.
The ‘Rewriting the script’ report found autonomous pharmacist prescribing in line with the Pharmacy Guild’s proposal would create $1 billion in health system savings, free up over 10 million GP appointments and prevent 30,000 hospitalisations annually.
It provided modelling of the economic impact of greater prescribing powers for pharmcists across asthma, cardiovascular risk reduction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hormonal contraception.
The report compiled on behalf of the guild by HTANALYSTS recommended national consistency in pharmacy prescribing, PBS funding for pharmacist-prescribed medicines and remuneration for pharmacist consultations.
It also suggested embedding pharmacist prescribing within shared electronic health records and incentives for shared-care models.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman referred to the report as “another glossy report.”
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Dr Raman said the best interest of patients should be considered “not necessarily just turning the work towards another area where they are also equally stretched for workforce.”
“Access is really important, but not at the cost of safety and not at the cost of quality,” she said,
“The GP led model of delivery care is much more sustainable and these are not simple one-off conditions that can just be dealt with to free up other appointments.”
However Professor Trent Twomey, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said the modelling should be a catalyst for the federal government to implement changes.
HTANALYSTS’ strategy and social impact principal Irene Deltetto said pharmacists assessed the safety, appropriateness and clinical need of medicines prescribed to patients everyday.
“The right national frameworks will mean pharmacist prescribing can transform access to safe and effective healthcare,” she said.
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