New national modelling identifies pharmacist prescribing as a practical, scalable reform to improve access to care at a time when GP workforce shortages are projected to worsen.
'Rewriting the Script' was prepared by HTANALYSTS and shows pharmacist prescribing will create $1 billion in annual health system savings; free up over 10 million GP appointments and prevent 30, 000 hospitalisations annually.
Professor Trent Twomey, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said the modelling should be a catalyst for the federal government to make the most of community pharmacy.
"This modelling shows that empowering specially trained pharmacists to prescribe for appropriate conditions isn't just good for patients – it's good for the entire health system. It improves access, reduces wait times and delivers more than a billion dollars in annual savings."
Irene Deltetto, Principal, Strategy and Social Impact HTANALYSTS said: "Behind every dollar in this analysis is a patient who waited too long to see a GP, or a hospitalisation that could have been avoided. HTANALYSTS modelled that $21 billion in overall economic impact would be created across just four conditions through pharmacist autonomous prescribing.
"What's needed now is the regulatory and funding architecture to make this model permanent and nationally consistent," she added.
The report recommends nationally consistent prescribing powers; sustainable funding to support access and connected digital health systems. The Guild is calling on the government to implement the three recommendations made in the report.
"Every day pharmacists assess the safety, appropriateness and clinical need of medicines prescribed to patients. The right national frameworks will mean pharmacist prescribing can transform access to safe and effective healthcare.
"Community pharmacy is Australia's most accessible frontline healthcare destination. People visit their pharmacist every three weeks on average and each of those visits is an opportunity to do more to create healthier communities. We need to make sure patients get the right care, at the right time, at a place they choose."
There are more than 6,000 community pharmacies across Australia, many open extended hours and weekends, and in more than 300 towns they are the only frontline health service available.
Australians can find their local community pharmacy and learn more about available services at Find a Pharmacy.
