Sigma defends sleep apnoea program

SIGMA Healthcare has responded to concerns raised by sleep specialists about the new Guardian and Amcal pharmacy-based testing services (PD Fri), pointing out that the Australian Pharmacy Sleep Services program has been used in the community pharmacy setting in Australia since 2011.

The company said more than 450 pharmacies already offered the service which had been developed in alignment with the Professional Practice Standards set down by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

More than two million Australians are estimated to have uncomplicated Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, of whom 80% are undiagnosed, Sigma said.

“As the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are ideally placed to screen patients... in so doing pharmacists are playing an important role in re-engaging patients with their GP,” the company added.

After an in-pharmacy consultation using clinically validated screening tools, patients deemed to have a high likelihood of sleep apnoea are offered a home sleep test which is interpreted by a doctor, who is also responsible for treatment recommendations.

“Where the doctor identifies a sleep pathology other than uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnoea the patient is referred to a sleep physician for a level 1 or level 2 sleep test...at no point is CPAP therapy initiated without the doctor’s written recommendation.”

Sigma said pharmacists collaborated with the patient’s other healthcare providers to ensure complete continuity of care.

“Pharmacists are ideally placed to offer ongoing support to their patients...the average Australian visits a community pharmacy 14 times per year and this enables pharmacist to regularly identify and screen patients for obstructive sleep apnoea, review adherence to therapy and refer a patient to their GP or trained sleep physician if any issues arise,” the company said.