| Community pharmacists in North Queensland will see their scope of practice expand as part of a pilot program starting in the second half of 2023.
Under the controversial North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (NQPSPP) pharmacists will be authorised to administer a broader range of vaccines and prescribe medications for a range of conditions, including reflux, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and herpes zoster.
Participating pharmacists will also be allowed to provide health and wellbeing services for weight management, smoking cessation and hormonal contraception, Queensland Health Minister, Yvette D’Ath said.
“This pilot program will mean better access to the sort of primary health care services that many patients currently find difficult to access,” the Minister said.
“It will see pharmacists administering more types of vaccines and prescribing medicines for a range of common conditions.
“Now that the scope has been finalised, work has started on implementing appropriate structures to ensure the pilot is safe and effective.
“Pharmacists participating in the pilot will undergo additional training to ensure they are able to safely manage the included conditions and responsibilities.
“Participating pharmacies must also have suitable consulting spaces that provide patient privacy."
The rollout of the NQPSPP follows the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to make the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections a permanent part of community pharmacists’ scope on 01 October.
The NQPSPP will see pharmacists authorised to provide services for: Gastro-oesophageal reflux Acute nausea and vomiting Oral health screening and fluoride application Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis Asthma and exercise induced bronchoconstriction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Impetigo Herpes Zoster (shingles) Atopic Dermatitis Psoriasis Mild to moderate acne Acute wound management Acute diffuse otitis externa Acute otitis media Dyslipidaemia Hypertension Type 2 diabetes Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation Weight management for obesity Smoking cessation Oral contraception Travel medicine More details in today's issue of Pharmacy Daily.
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