Pharmacists are pushing for broader powers to prescribe medications, which they say will take pressure off GPs and the federal budget, while saving patients from having to book a doctor’s appointment every time they want to pick up a script.
Trials across the states and territories already allow chemists to prescribe medicines for hormonal contraception, urinary tract infections and skin conditions, among others.
Expanding pharmacist prescribing to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hormonal contraception, and cardiovascular risk reduction could save the health system $1 billion a year, a report released by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia on Tuesday found.
It could also free up more than 10 million GP appointments and prevent 30,000 hospitalisations annually, modelling by health economics consultancy HTANALYSTS showed.
“This modelling shows that empowering specially trained pharmacists to prescribe for appropriate conditions isn’t just good for patients - it’s good for the entire health system,” Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey said.