A year of progress and change As 2019 comes to an end, newsGP looks back on what has been a significant year for Australian general practice.
RACGP President accuses Pharmacy Guild of ‘classic overreach’ The powerful lobby group has again called for expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice following a new report that predicts a major GP workforce shortfall by 2030.
UK pharmacist prescribers reportedly linked to deaths Inappropriate prescribing and poor advice, underpinned by ‘an assumption of competence which was ill-founded’ are potential causes.
Pharmacy-led study promotes minor ailments scheme The initiative would see some people transferred from GPs to community pharmacies as early as next year.
Government urged to ease pharmacy dispensing restrictions Allowing consumers to collect two months of scripts at a time is one of several proposed changes to the Community Pharmacy Agreement.
Autonomous pharmacist prescribing off the table – but no barriers to restricted models The Pharmacy Board of Australia has found no obstacles to collaborative prescribing alongside medical professionals, and structured prescribing where pharmacists have limited authorisation.
‘Unexplained pharmaceuticals’ found in complementary and alternative medicines Nearly half of the 135 complementary and alternative medicines tested by researchers had contaminants, including animal DNA and potential allergens.
GPs in push for change to pharmacy ownership rules GPs have entered the fray over pharmacy regulation, arguing the current system is anti-competitive.
Pharmacy Guild scope-of-practice push continues The calls, found in a submission to the National Rural Health Commissioner, include the ability to prescribe medicines and administer more vaccines.
Australians engaging in ‘high risk’ asthma practices New research reveals wide misuse of over-the-counter reliever puffers, suggesting many patients fail to properly manage their condition.