WA pharmacists to be given authority to prescribe medications for acute conditions in State Government plan

Pharmacists will have the authority to prescribe more medications under a State Government bid to ease pressure on emergency departments and GPs. Under the plan, WA pharmacists will be able to prescribe medication for minor ailments and acute conditions from 2027, including shingles, acne, dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, nausea, vomiting, and wounds. WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced the changes at a Pharmacy WA forum on Friday morning. Ms Sanderson said the Government had committed to work with universities to develop training plans for pharmacists. “They’ll have what’s called advanced scope and patients will be able to come in and have those consultations and get prescribed medications were required,” Ms Sanderson said. In April, the State Government had allowed pharmacists to expand their remit to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections. Queensland, NSW and Victoria have also previously trialled prescribing of contraceptives and UTI treatments by pharmacists. Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA president Andrew Ngeow welcomed the shake up. “This reform will also provide the broader benefit of alleviating the pressures and cost of the health system,” he said. “It will free up GP appointments and save unnecessary trips to hospital emergency departments. (I) look forward to community pharmacy offering these services to Western Australians by 2027.” Ms Sanderson acknowledged that expanding a pharmacist’s role could be a “controversial issue amongst health professionals” but said “the reality is there’s so much need”. “We need our GPS to be spending more time with our sicker patients,” the Labor MP said. “This will relieve the pressure on GP waiting times. “We’re seeing more and more older adults in particular presenting with multiple conditions and comorbidities. “GPs will be able to spend more time with those patients and see more patients.” But the State’s peak medical body has already raised potential concerns with the plan. Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page questioned whether it would inevitably result in more fragmented care for patients and threaten patient safety. “I think with any new program getting the protocols right is important,” Dr Page said. “What records will be available? What are the referral pathways? How do we ensure that patients don’t slip through the cracks?” Dr Page said it was vital pharmacist had the proper training and capability that aligned with “the overall health care context”. “Workforce concerns also need to be addressed,” he said. “The program has been suggested to alleviate the stretched general practitioner system but there’s already a pharmacist shortage. Are we not just going to end up in the same situation?” He also called for a “robust” evaluation process, adding he was yet to see results from the State Government’s expansion of UTI prescriptions. Pharmacy 777 Lynwood owner Natalie Willis said it would allow her to train her staff, like pharmacist Bonnie Poon, to provide easier access for her clients. “What we are seeing as the moment is patients coming in with these conditions for advice,” she said. “They’re asking what might be wrong with them and what treatment they need but at the moment we’re only about to refer them to a GP. “Then they might not be seen in a timely manner. It can obviously be very difficult for someone to get into a doctor that day. “This could give us the ability to treat them right then and there. “I have a number of patients in my pharmacy. It depends on the time commitment, but I intend to train as many pharmacists as I can, and myself. We’re really excited about it.” Health Services Union WA secretary Naomi McCrae also welcomed the announcement but questioned if the added responsible would also come with additional investment into hospital pharmacists. It comes as Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital pharmacists voted on Thursday to escalate industrial action at a stop work meeting at QEII. Members are calling on the State Government to offer a new pay deal in their latest round of negotiations. “HSUWA hospital pharmacists continue to take on more responsibility to improve outcomes for patients but are expected to still work under antiquated and flat career pathways,” Ms McCrae said. “This announcement recognises the invaluable role and skills of pharmacists – however the Department of Health has simultaneously failed to deliver a fair offer that recognises these very skills. “If this commitment is genuine, the Government must invest now in the hospital pharmacist workforce.”