Queensland inquiry recommendations support important role of pharmacists

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes recommendations made by the Inquiry into the establishment of a pharmacy council and pharmacy ownership in Queensland – a move in the right direction for pharmacists practising to their full scope, and for maintaining the strong pharmacy ownership structure that has served the Queensland public well.

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said PSA welcomes the Committee’s recommendation to support current provisions relating to the ownership of pharmacies by pharmacists in Queensland.

 

“The current pharmacy ownership system supports patient safety and helps maintain public confidence in high-quality pharmacy services being provided in Queensland,” Dr Jackson said.

 

PSA Acting Queensland President Chris Campbell said, “We welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the Department of Health lower the minimum patient age requirement for pharmacist-administered vaccinations to 16 years of age.

 

“The success of the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), which led to pharmacists being able to vaccinate across Australia, has seen significant community health benefits including improved accessibility, patient satisfaction and lower out-of-pockets costs for patients.

 

“PSA also welcomes the recommendation for pharmacists to dispense emergency and repeat prescriptions, and that any change in pharmacists’ scope of practice should be underpinned by appropriate credentialing and training.

 

“The above recommendations are a step in the right direction but there are still more opportunities to take advantage of pharmacists’ unique expertise to better support the health of all Queenslanders.

 

“Pharmacists are one of the most trusted and accessible health professionals in Queensland, but their skills have not been put to full use because legislation hinders some areas of practice.”

 

PSA embraces the recommendation to establish a pharmacy advisory council containing a diverse range of members to provide expert advice to the Department of Health. We also agree with the recommendation from the Auditor-General that the Department of Health should strengthen processes and controls to ensure pharmacy ownership complies with the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2001.

 

PSA, as the peak professional body for pharmacists representing all of Queensland’s 5,800 Queensland pharmacists, looks forward to working with the Department of Health and the Queensland Government to continue making the most of the skills and expertise of pharmacists to provide the best healthcare for Queenslanders.

 

-ENDS-

Media contact:

Jarryd Luke

Senior Communications Officer

0487 922 176