Pharmacy regulators are pushing ahead with plans for the profession to start prescribing, despite doctors labelling the idea a ‘Pandora’s box’ of risks.

The Pharmacy Board of Australia has started consulting on approaches for expanding the prescribing rights of pharmacists, declaring the country needs more prescribers to make up for a doctor shortage.

In a consultation paper released this week, the board outlines three systems for allowing pharmacists to prescribe schedule 4 and schedule 8 drugs, including a proposal for autonomous prescribing by pharmacists with postgraduate qualifications.

It says the “redistribution of tasks” is needed to allow pharmacists to make the full use of their training.