I think this is a terrible idea. It blurs the lines between product and prescribers. I’ve been multiple times to a pharmacist that realistically should have sent me on my way with nothing… but always had a recommended product.
Sure, for chronic conditions, perhaps give 6 month prescription that can be reviewed and dispenced 3 times by pharmacist… but pharmacists are not the coordinated practitioner.
I was about to make the chronic condition caveat. It’s crazy that people with lifelong conditions that will require medication for the rest of their lives need to go to their GP to renew their script every couple of months. Make that twice a year and ad-hoc as required and pharmacists can assist with the middle ground.
I’d trust then to mostly manage repeats. I’m not so sure about diagnosing and prescribing meds though.
GPs would lose out on clipping the ticket where you have to go to them first just to get the script. Even if you know what you need.
Pharmacists already seem crazy overworked. It’s probably more accurate say this is coming from pharmacies and their owners.
how about they let them give scripts for Panadeine… you know, that we used to be able to get without a script?
Easier opioid access is probably not a net positive.
fair, but for non-addicts (assumedly in the majority) it would be good to not require a GP to waste an appointment just to prescribe a medication that is quite safe when taken in moderation. Chemists would be able to see the prescription history. If you haven’t bought any in say, 6 months, you shouldn’t need to go to a GP for a pack of Panadeine.
