Telepharmacy to combat medicine-related harm.

Pharmacists will be able to provide medication review services over video or teleconferencing platforms from 21 Apr, as part of the Federal Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move will ensure vulnerable patients, who are eligible for a medication review under one of the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) programs (MedsCheck, Diabetes MedsCheck, Home Medicines Review or Residential Medication Management Review) can receive the pharmacist-delivered support while remaining isolated from COVID-19.

Welcoming the move, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Dr Chris Freeman, said it would protect patients and pharmacists during the pandemic, having flagged the possible shift to telepharmacy during a webinar earlier this week, as reported by Pharmacy Daily.

“Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists are adapting and innovating to ensure they continue to provide the best healthcare for their communities,” he said.

“Allowing medicine reviews via telehealth whether it be on videoconference or teleconference is a commonsense decision made by the Government to ensure Australians continue to receive the support and medicine safety information they need without the risk of contracting COVID-19.

“This announcement also helps reduce the risk to pharmacists, who now no longer need to deliver essential comprehensive medication reviews face to face and run the risk of getting contracting COVID-19 themselves.”

See Monday's edition of Pharmacy Daily for more. 

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