Hunt approves pharmacist substitution.

Community pharmacists now have the authority to substitute dose strengths or forms of medications, without prior approval from the prescribing doctor, under emergency measures announced by the Federal Government.

Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, also announced the extension of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy access for medicines supplied under emergency provisions, which had previously been announced during the bushfire crisis, and had been due to expire today, as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decisions have been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, with National President, George Tambassis, praising Hunt for acting to ensure patients have access to critical medicines when they might not have a prescription.

“This means pharmacists can continue to support our patients through this health crisis, and they aren’t hit with any additional or unnecessary costs during such a stressful time,” he said. 

Tambassis added that the ability to substitute medicines would "help pharmacists across Australia to manage medicines for patients". 

"Australians need reassurance we’re on the frontline caring for them," he said.

"This decision by Minister Hunt means pharmacists have a greater ability to care for our patients.”

See tomorrow's edition of Pharmacy Daily for more.

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