Pharmacist Rx takes step forward

MEASURES to enable pharmacist prescribing are moving forward with the Queensland State Government releasing the protocols for the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland (UTIPP-Q) trial.

The move will enable community pharmacists who have enrolled in the program to provide empirical treatment to non-pregnant women with acute uncomplicated cystitis, using antibiotics.

Pilot lead, Professor Lisa Nissen, who previously led the Queensland vaccination trial, welcomed the publication of the Drug Therapy Protocol - Pharmacist UTI Trial.

“This is another fantastic opportunity for pharmacists to increase their contribution to patient care in the community,” she said.

“We are looking forward to evaluating the outcomes.”

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Trent Twomey, said the decision to empower pharmacists to treat UTIs under the pilot reflected the growing recognition of the profession’s ability to deliver primary care services.

“Community pharmacists stand prepared and waiting to increase their scope of practice and deliver more health services to Queenslanders,” he said.

“We have seen first-hand the importance of community pharmacy this year with consumers relying heavily on their trusted community pharmacy for healthcare advice and flu immunisation throughout the pandemic.”

Twomey added the trial would allow women seeking treatment for a UTI to visit their local pharmacy and be seen immediately, “to avoid further complications that could result in hospitalisations”.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Queensland Branch Manager, Chris Campbell, said the green light being given for the pilot reflected the state’s Department of Health’s support for the pharmacy profession.

“This brings access to Queensland women a service already successful in other countries and is welcomed with the back drop of COVID-19, a time when pharmacists have kept the doors open to provide quality primary healthcare to Queenslanders,” he said.