The Tasmanian Pharmacy Conference was held on the weekend and saw a range of experts highlight the significant healthcare role of community pharmacy.
The conference, which was delivered by the Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia provided the opportunity for those in community pharmacy to attend a number of presentations and professional development sessions, including clinical sessions in palliative care, pharmacotherapy, eye care, cholesterol management and chronic wound management.
The clinical sessions provided another opportunity to highlight the benefits of the expanding role of pharmacists in providing care and professional services within their local communities.
Tasmania’s increasingly older demographic was highlighted in the session by Australian Demographer, Simon Kuestenmacher, who said this, coupled with the state’s steady population growth, requires a rethink regarding the availability of healthcare services around the state.
One way to support healthcare services is to consider pharmacy scope of practice.
During his speech at the conference dinner, Premier Jeremy Rockliff spoke about the importance of the upcoming Review of Pharmacist Scope in Tasmania in shaping the future delivery of healthcare services to ensure positive outcomes for all Tasmanians regardless of where they live.
Tasmanian Branch President Helen O’Byrne said that the review is an important opportunity to both ease the current burden on Tasmania’s healthcare system and ensure all communities have access to professional healthcare.
“The review of pharmacists’ scope of practice in Tasmania must recognise the recent announcements from the Queensland and New South Wales governments, committing to a trial where appropriately trained pharmacists will be able to diagnose, prescribe, treat and manage a range of acute and chronic conditions,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“The Queensland and New South Wales Governments have shown that they understand that pharmacists are a valuable healthcare resource which is currently underutilised in this country, particularly given the extreme GP shortage in regional and remote areas.”
Ms O’Byrne said that before any pharmacist can offer such services they are required to undertake significant post-graduate qualifications and work within the agreed scope of practice protocols in their relevant jurisdiction.
“Initially, not all pharmacists and pharmacies may offer the extra services as it will be mandatory to undertake significant additional education required by relevant State authorities, with additional changes to pharmacy environments required to meet clinical and patient expectations”, Ms O’Byrne said.
“However, we expect that over time all pharmacists will develop their full scope skills, with universities meeting the needs of future students in expanded undergraduate courses.”
