Hunt extends Continued Dispensing

EMERGENCY dispensing measures initially implemented during Jan’s bushfire crisis will remain in force until at least 30 Sep due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Announcing the extension of the Continued Dispensing measures, which were due to expire on 30 Jun, Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, revealed more than 75,000 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised medications were dispensed under the program in Apr and May.

State and Territory governments are expected to implement necessary legislation to enable pharmacists to continue to provide emergency supplies of essential medicines to patients without a prescription in cases where they have been unable to access their GP and there is a clinical need.

Welcoming the announcement, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Dr Chris Freeman, called on the Federal Government to make the arrangements permanent.

“This is a commonsense decision by the Federal Government with COVID-19 still posing a considerable risk in many parts of Australia,” he said.

“While the extension of the continued dispensing emergency arrangements is pleasing, PSA will continue to call for emergency supply provisions of this nature to be made standard practice.

“It is important that patients requiring chronic therapy are supported in emergency situations and can continue to receive their medication.

“All Australians for that matter need to be confident they can access vital medicines when faced with an emergency or disaster.”

Freeman added the PSA would continue to work with Federal, State and Territory governments to ensure patients can retain access to medicines throughout the ongoing COVID crisis.

“As front line health professionals, it is important that pharmacists have the necessary tools to ensure they can meet the health care needs of their patients and the community in a timely manner,” he said.