The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed confirmation by the South Australian Office of the Chief Pharmacist (OCP) that pharmacists in South Australia can administer medicines to their patients. This marks an important milestone in establishing national consistency in pharmacists’ scope of practice, enabling pharmacists to administer medicines across all Australian states and territories. It also empowers pharmacists to continue delivering essential healthcare services to their communities.
Dr Manya Angley FPS, PSA SA/NT President, welcomed the confirmation by the OCP, noting that it brings the nation one step closer to a more accessible, patient-centred healthcare system.
”This is a significant outcome for patients and pharmacists,” said Dr Angley. “By enabling pharmacists in South Australia to administer medicines, we are providing more opportunities for patients to access timely care and improve health outcomes, bringing our scope in line with other jurisdictions.”
“Confirmation by the OCP that pharmacists in SA can administer medicines aligns with PSA’s visionary roadmap for the future of pharmacy practice in Australia in Pharmacists in 2030, which advocates for legislative and practice changes to allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer a greater range of medicines.”
”Pharmacists are highly trained and trusted healthcare professionals, and we are ready to fulfil these expanded responsibilities,” said PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS. “We call on governments to continue working with the profession and take active steps to enable necessary changes to be implemented, ultimately improving patient access to care whilst maintaining standards, professionalism and quality.”
PSA has a range of educational resources available for pharmacists wishing to build their competence in administering medicines, including the Administering Medicines by Injection Course and Guidelines for pharmacists administering medicines by injection.
As part of the long-term vision for improving access to medicines and reducing pressure on the healthcare system, PSA remains committed to advocating for further enhancements to pharmacists’ scope of practice.
PSA’s recently launched Pharmacists in 2030 vision can be found here: www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/pharmacists_in_2030/
