The independent research, commissioned by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, and carried out by independent research firm Insightfully, also revealed support in North Queensland is even stronger, where almost eighty per cent of respondents, are in favour of the proposed Pilot.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said support for the proposed Full Scope of Practice Pilot had been mounting for years.
“The need for community pharmacists to work towards their full scope of practice is well understood in the community,” said Mr. Owen, “This is reflected by commitments made by both of the major political parties at the 2020 state election to support community pharmacy’s scope of practice.”
“The Pilot will be a step towards bringing Queensland in line with countries like Canada, New Zealand, England and Wales that allow pharmacists to practice to their full scope,” said Mr Owen.
“A clear outcome from the research is that North Queenslanders are demanding better access to primary health care services,” said Mr. Owen, “They see community pharmacy as a critical part of the solution.”
"The low-risk North Queensland Full Scope of Practice Pilot will see community pharmacists able to treat and advise patients for common health conditions, such as pain management, ear, nose and throat conditions, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.”
“To take part in the Pilot, pharmacists would first have to undertake further university post-graduate study, supervised for 12-16 months,” said Mr. Owen.
“North Queensland patients have been telling us that their healthcare services aren’t enough,” said Mr. Owen, “This research provides they were right.”
"When participants were told of the limited nature of the health conditions of the Pilot and the additional post-graduate study required, support grew to eighty per cent state-wide," said Mr Owen.
Mr. Owen said, “support for the Pilot was strongest amongst those with dependants (80%) and amongst those with chronic diseases and conditions (79%).”
Mr. Owen also said community pharmacy is uniquely placed to cater to the needs of patient care and to take the strain off hospital emergency departments.”
“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), community pharmacies are the most frequently accessed and most accessible primary health care destination,1" said Mr. Owen, "On average, every person visits a community pharmacy 18 times each year, in metropolitan, rural and remote locations2."
"There are 1,215 community pharmacies in Queensland3," said Mr. Owen, "234 of those are located in rural towns, remote and very remote communities, as defined by the Modified Monash Model4."
"With three-quarters of Queensland respondents supporting pharmacists practising to their full scope, there is clear evidence that the Full Scope of Practice Community Pharmacy Pilot is much-needed, regardless of what general practitioner (GP) lobbying groups claim."
"This is about health care access and ensuring that North Queenslanders have the best patient care – not myths and an ancient turf war."
1PBS Date of Supply, Guild Digest, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3101.0
2ABS Demographic Statistics, PBS Date of Supply
3The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, CRM GEMM data 9/2/2022
4The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, CRM GEMM data 9/2/2022