Addressing the over 500 delegates at the Pharmacy WA Forum earlier today, Western Australian Minister for Health, Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson announced that patients would be able to access a treatment for a broad range of acute conditions through appropriately trained and authorised pharmacists prescribing within a framework which is based on existing models of care. These conditions include mild to moderate shingles, acne, dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, nausea and vomiting, and wound management.
Community pharmacy is the most accessible primary healthcare destination used by over 1 million Western Australians each week. To use this existing network to deliver a wider range of services is common sense.
Today’s announcement follows the official opening of The Pharmacy WA Forum 2024, by Western Australian Premier, The Hon. Roger Cook MLA, who commented on the potential to expand pharmacist scope of practice to progress towards autonomous prescribing. The ability to autonomously prescribe for a broad range of conditions offers an exciting step in community pharmacies’ ability to provide healthcare for all Western Australians.
Participating pharmacists will complete additional training and apply treatment on established clinical practice guidelines and protocols. Where a pharmacist considers that high-quality primary healthcare cannot safely and appropriately be provided within a community pharmacy, patients will be referred to their GP for further review or ongoing care.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch will continue to work closely with the WA Government on the implementation of these services.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch President, Mr Andrew Ngeow welcomed the announcement, noting “this reform will also provide the broader benefit of alleviating the pressures and cost of the health system”. “It will free up GP appointments and save unnecessary trips to hospital emergency departments.”
“I welcome the decision and look forward to community pharmacy offering these services to Western Australians by 2027,” concluded Mr Ngeow.