The AMA has launched a set of minimum standards in a bid to stop independent prescribing by pharmacists.

The standards have been specifically drawn up to address the current push for autonomous pharmacist prescribing, the AMA admits.

They are “all about putting the interests of patients first”, and “providing governments with strong evidence to reject attempts by unauthorised or inappropriately skilled practitioners who may seek prescribing rights outside of their scope of practice”.

“It is vital that health professionals operate within their scope of practice,” AMA president Dr Tony Bartone says.