‘They’re treating UTIs successfully’: Qld Health Minister defends pharmacy prescribing plan
Yvette D'Ath has rejected criticisms of the pilot from doctor groups, saying her top priority is patient safety
Queensland’s Minister for Health has defended a plan to allow pharmacists to independently diagnose and treat complex conditions, claiming they are already “successfully” prescribing antibiotics for UTIs.
The RACGP and AMA are increasingly alarmed at the looming rollout of the state’s trial of pharmacists prescribing and dispensing up to 150 different S4 drugs, saying it’s a threat to patient safety.
On Friday, Yvette D’Ath attempted to justify the experiment for the first time.
“I respect the AMA’s view, but the health system is made up of a lot of different health professionals, and I am supportive of making sure that those health professionals can operate at the scope that they’re trained for,” she told reporters.
