PSA lobbies for wider scope

WITH the Victorian state election imminent, the local branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is lobbying for broader responsibilities for pharmacists, especially in relation to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) services.

PSA Victorian President Benjamin Marchant said pharmacists were the most frequently contacted health professionals in Victoria, yet their skills were not being put to full use.

“The upcoming Victorian state election is the ideal time to commit to new reforms for a healthier Victoria, and PSA urges Victorian political parties to take full advantage of the highly trained pharmacist workforce by committing to provide $2.2 million in seed funding for a pilot of the shared care model for MATOD services in Victoria.”

MATOD services include two key elements in the battle against licit and illicit drug abuse and misuse, Marchant explained: prescribing doctors or nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who dispense the medications and monitor treatment progress on a daily basis.

“The referral pathway to support and manage addiction is at breaking point and MATOD services are under enormous pressure,” Marchant argued.

“There is a severe shortage of MATOD prescribers despite the Victorian Government’s repeated efforts over many years to recruit doctors and nurse practitioners.

“With the implementation of Victoria’s real-time prescription monitoring system, SafeScript, over the next 18 months, the demand for MATOD services is likely to increase significantly, putting additional pressure on the already strained prescriber pool,” the PSA Branch President added.

PSA is also calling for the appointment of a Chief Pharmacist in Victoria to make better use of pharmacist resources, with the role seen as fostering more interdisciplinary collaboration.