"The Guild welcomes Minister D’Ath’s appointment. The Labor Government has recognised the importance and need for community pharmacists to do more in the provision of primary health care.”
“Minister D’Ath has a strong reputation of being engaged and diligent at getting the job done for the people of Queensland. Her belief in building an even stronger public health system will benefit all Queenslanders.”
“We are confident that with Minister D’Ath’s appointment, Queenslanders who are crying out for community pharmacies to deliver more local primary health care services1 will continue to be heard.”
“We’ll work with the Palaszczuk Government to implement their election promises to design and implement a trial of pharmacists practising to their full scope in North Queensland, provide further improved access to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Queensland, and to appoint a community pharmacy representative to Queensland’s Clinical Senate within their primary care representative group.”
“We take this opportunity to sincerely thank Deputy Premier, Hon. Steven Miles MP for his on-going commitment to ensuring that the people of Queensland have access to world-class primary health care from community pharmacies in his role as Minister for Health and Ambulance Services,” said Prof. Twomey.
“Deputy Premier Miles has worked tirelessly towards empowering community pharmacists to practice their full scope of clinical training, to provide better support for patients, less avoidable hospital admissions and improved access to primary health care.”
“The Government’s swift health response early in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which included passing several key legislations through Parliament, meant that Queenslanders had better access to primary health care services, and no patients went without their medicines.”
“This year we’ve seen several key pieces of legislation swiftly passed to support Queenslanders in need; including 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.”
“We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Minister. D’Ath and Queensland Government as we work towards fully utilising our strong community pharmacy network of almost 1,2002 as key primary healthcare providers.”
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.
References
1 Pharmacy 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: [Accessed 27 October 2020].