The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, has today welcomed the NSW Government's decision to extend by six months the special temporary authority for emergency supply of medicines without a prescription.
NSW is the first State to move to extend the 30-day emergency supply authority after it was implemented during January's bushfire emergency, to support those patients who require the supply of Schedule 4 medicines in circumstances where they do not have access to a prescription or a prescriber because of the disruption caused by the crisis.
NSW pharmacists who are on the frontline in supporting patients during the current COVID-19 crisis can now continue supplying a single full pack, usually one month's supply of eligible medicine, where there is an immediate need for that medicine but it is not practicable to obtain a prescription from their doctor. The special authority granted to pharmacists during the bushfire crisis earlier this year which was due to expire at the end of March.
The President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch. David Heffernan applauded the State Government's decision and called on the Federal Government to act swiftly in response.
'This is a very welcome decision at a time of unprecedented uncertainly and anxiety for many people - it's all about helping people at this stressful time. Being able to continue to support our patients as we have been is crucial," Mr Heffernan said.
'In the midst of this challenging health crisis, our patients need reassurance and certainty that we will continue to be on the frontline supporting and caring for them. This extension will further help support patients as many more people in NSW are facing increasing waiting times to see their GP because they are focussing on more serious issues.
'We've been working closely with government in response to this health crisis and I encourage the Federal Government to now match this extension by also extending the provision for patients to access their medication on the PBS to avoid undue additional costs." Mr Heffernan said.
The supply of medicines under these arrangements is subject to a strict set of professional guidelines. The patient must previously have been prescribed this medicine and the pharmacist must be satisfied it is urgently needed.
These temporary arrangements will come into effect from tomorrow, 26 March 2020 until 30 September.
