The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has welcomed news that the Pharmacy Board has begun work to establish an endorsement framework for scheduled medicines for pharmacists.
National President Professor Trent Twomey described it as a pivotal step for patients and the community pharmacy profession, with the potential to unlock consistent, safe and accessible care.
"An endorsement framework is critical to ensuring community pharmacists can deliver services to the full extent of their training, skills, knowledge and experience.
"We know community pharmacists are already delivering these services successfully in specific states – this enables better planning, mobility and clarity for practitioners" said Professor Twomey.
Once approved it will set a nationally consistent framework endorsing community pharmacists to prescribe scheduled medicines.
It will standardise the national qualifications for prescribing pharmacists. Pharmacists that have their prescribing qualification approved by the Board will be able to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply and/or use scheduled medicines.
"The Guild looks forward to working with the Board as part of this process" Twomey continued. "With appropriate training and governance, pharmacist prescribing will mean more patients able to access convenient, local care for everyday health conditions.
Reducing pressure on GPs and emergency departments. Ultimately it will lead to healthier communities."
The Pharmacy Board's recommendation reflects the evolving role of pharmacists as the most accessible frontline healthcare providers and aligns with international best practice. Evidence from Canada, the UK, and the US demonstrates pharmacist prescribing is safe, effective, and well-received by patients.
