The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has welcomed a statement from United General Practice Australia (UGPA) expressing its in-principle support for non-dispensing pharmacists to work in general practice as part of a GP-led team.
UGPA is comprised of six doctor organisations focussed on addressing issues in primary health care, including RACGP and AMA.
"Incorporating non-dispensing pharmacists as part of the general practice team has the potential to improve prescribing and the use of medicines, reduce hospital admissions from adverse drug events, and deliver better health outcomes for patients," the organisation said in a statement.
National President of the PSA, Joe Demarte, said PSA has been working collaboratively with the two organisations to develop a model to support a more integrated role for pharmacists to work in GP practices as part of the primary care team.
“This in-principle support from UGPA is significant as it includes a wide range of general practice organisations,” Mr Demarte said. “UGPA in its statement reflects PSA view on some of the benefits of this model.
He continued, “This team care approach is particularly important at time when the ageing population and increasing chronic disease are putting added pressures on the healthcare system.
“This PSA model for pharmacists to be integrated into GP practices is a genuinely collaborative model of care and represents an exciting step for the medical profession, for pharmacists and, most importantly, for patients.”
PSA is holding a forum in Sydney on Monday 24 August to further discuss and workshop this area of practice. The PSA is working to see how this model can be applied to developing models of health care, for example through the primary health network.
“Those attending will hear from Australian experts in this area, including a pharmacist working in GP clinic Dr Chris Freeman, GPs, and international expert Ravi Sharma from the UK,” Mr Demarte said.
Details of the forum can be found at PSA website.
