The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have joined forces to call on parties to fund general practice-based pharmacists to work with specialist GPs to support high-quality prescribing.
Funding for practices to add more non-dispensing pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, and other health professionals to practice teams is part of the RACGP's comprehensive plan for accessible and affordable care for all Australia.
The PSA is also advocating for doubled funding to support the employment of general practice-based pharmacists in as part of its 2025 federal election platform.
Multidisciplinary care already happens in general practice teams, but it needs secure funding and strong relationships with GPs to leverage the full benefits.
Non-dispensing pharmacists in general practice answer queries, monitor prescribing, and conduct medicine reviews. They help patients understand their medicines and any changes and ensure safe and effective medicine use.
Economic analysis has shown adding non-dispensing pharmacists to general practice teams could deliver around $545 million in net savings to the health system over four years through fewer hospital admissions and reduced medicine use.
Trials of general practice-based pharmacists have reported excellent feedback from both patients and GPs.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said boosting funding to add pharmacists and other health professionals to join general practice teams would deliver immediate and long-term benefits.
"People with chronic illness get the best care when their specialist GP works with pharmacists and other health professionals in multidisciplinary care teams," he said.
"Pharmacists, GPs and non-GP specialists, nurses, and other allied health professionals like dietitians and psychologists all apply different skills to benefit our patients. Most practices provide multidisciplinary care, and most GPs want to grow their teams to better serve our patients.
"For patients, funding will mean faster and easier access to care from an allied health professional who's working closely with their specialist GP."
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim said practice-based pharmacists would improve patients' access to high-quality care.
"Australia is facing an avalanche of chronic health conditions, requiring more significant, advanced, and complex care from all healthcare professionals," she said.
"We must support our healthcare system to meet this demand by investing in multidisciplinary care now, supporting GPs to grow their teams and foster greater pharmacist-GP collaboration to achieve true patient-centred care.
"Pharmacists make an invaluable contribution to and within the general practice team. This investment would directly benefit our health system, reduce costs for patients, and most importantly, improve prescribing safety and quality care."
Dr Wright said adding pharmacists to practice teams will improve patient education and safety.
"Practice-based pharmacists can talk to patients about how their medication works and educate them about safe use. Where a medication is no longer necessary, a pharmacist can identify opportunities to deprescribe," he said.
"That support is especially valuable for older patients, who too often are admitted to hospital due to adverse drug events, and benefit from clear communication and an optimal medicine regimen as they transition into aged care.
"Funding practices to grow their teams with nurses and allied health professionals like pharmacists will immediately improve access to care for Australians and reduce costs to them and the health system. Long-term, it'll improve care for patients with chronic illnesses, improve health and wellbeing, and mean fewer people end up in hospital."
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