“The ALP recognises the importance and need for community pharmacists to do more in the provision of primary healthcare. The Guild welcomes their on-going primary healthcare commitment to the people of Queensland,” said Prof. Twomey.
“Thanks to the ALP Government’s swift health response early in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Queenslanders and their families are in a good position.”
“The Government moved quickly to ensure that no patients went without their medicines during the pandemic.”
“Key life-saving regulatory changes occurred this year includes Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measure, the Drug Therapy Protocol – Communicable Disease Program to allow therapeutic substitution and COVID-19 vaccine administration, image-based prescriptions, ePrescriptions and changes to the Queensland Pharmacist Vaccination Standard.”
“During the pandemic, the Government also launched the ground-breaking Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland, to advance women’s healthcare. The 1 in 2 Queensland women that may get a UTI in their lifetime3 can now safely and conveniently can seek support and treatment in their local community pharmacies.”
“The Pilot will help to reduce 20,000 potentially preventable urinary tract and kidney infections hospitalisations4.”
“We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the Queensland Government as we work towards fully utilising our robust community pharmacy network of 6,000 primary healthcare providers in almost 1,200 locations2.”
“Queenslanders are demanding more. We saw last week that almost three-quarters of adults are crying out for community pharmacies to deliver more local primary healthcare services1.”
“A community pharmacist practising to their full scope means better patient outcomes, patients don’t go without necessary healthcare, less avoidable hospital admissions, and access to primary services is increased across Queensland.”
“The strong support of Premier Palaszczuk and her cabinet, including Hon. Steven Miles MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, assures that community pharmacists will be supported to practise their full scope of clinical training,” said Prof. Twomey.
“By continuing to work together as partners, the ALP and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia can provide Queenslanders and their families with even better access to primary healthcare that can only benefit patients.”
Community pharmacies are ready and available to support Queenslanders’ healthcare needs. Whether you need a flu vaccination, immediate Urinary Tract Infection advice and treatment, support with your medicine or disease management – your local community pharmacy team are ready to support you,” Prof. Twomey concluded.
Read the ALP’s letter of commitment to community pharmacies at www.guild.org.au/guild-branches/qld/queensland-state-election-2020
References
1Pharmacy services in marginal Queensland seats, voter telephone survey, conducted by Insightfully, 15-17 October 2020.
2 The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, 2020. Vital Facts On Community Pharmacy. [online] The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, p.1. Available at: <https://www.guild.org.au/guild-branches/qld/queensland-leading-the-way> [Accessed 27 October 2020].
3Kidney Health Australia Fact Sheet. 2019. [online] Available at: https://kidney.org.au/cms_uploads/docs/urinary-tract-infections-fact-sheet.pdf [Accessed 2 November 2020].
4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data, Potentially preventable hospitalisations, 2018-19, Queensland. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/sectors/emergency-department-care