AMA responds to aged care on-site pharmacists plan
The AMA has made a submission to the Department of Health’s consultation on a plan for pharmacists to be located on site at government-funded residential aged care facilities — a recommendation of the 2021 Aged Care Royal Commission.
The AMA has made a submission to the Department of Health’s consultation on a plan for pharmacists to be located on site at government-funded residential aged care facilities — a recommendation of the 2021 Aged Care Royal Commission.
The Department of Heath’s consultation examines the proposed introduction of on-site pharmacists in residential aged care homes. The proposal relates to recommendation 38 and 64 of the Royal Commission, which called for greater involvement of allied health professionals in aged care, including pharmacists.
The 2022 budget committed $345.7 million for on-site pharmacists and community pharmacy services in government-funded residential aged care facilities.
The AMA’s submission supports pharmacists being employed by the Primary Health Networks (PHNs), rather than aged care homes, firstly because funding through PHNs will ensure independence of pharmacists from aged care providers. Secondly, a PHN model would ensure that all pharmacists in the area are linked together and are able to develop and support communities of learning and practice.
The AMA also says that, regardless of the employment model, Medicare items for regular medication reviews for residents of aged care homes must be maintained.
The AMA submission maintains that GPs are the key medical care professionals in aged care, with pharmacists providing support, but not replacing any of the GPs’ role.
The AMA called on the Department to provide assurances that pharmacists will be non-prescribing, noting that any move to allow pharmacists to prescribe would be strongly opposed by the AMA.
The Health Department consultation says having a pharmacist on-site will give residents and their families confidence that medications are regularly reviewed, appropriate, and will provide continuity in medication management.
The Royal Commission’s Recommendation 38 was that aged care homes should improve medication management by actively seeking to employ allied health practitioners, including pharmacists, in accordance with residents’ individual care plans. Recommendation 64 related to the Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) Program and recommended that changes be made to the eligibility, frequency, and quality oversight.
The AMA’s full submission can be read here.
