Nicola Roxon, Federal Health Minister, has quashed the notion that new legislation to enable continued dispensing of medicines by pharmacists will allow the profession to diagnose medical conditions in patients, or prescribe medications.
The AMA criticised the National Health Amendments (Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement Initiatives) Bill 2011, introduced into Parliament on 23 November, which enabled pharmacists to dispense the contraceptive pill and cholesterol lowering drugs without a prescription in specific circumstances.
The AMA has lobbied MPs and Senators to have the Bill changed, with Dr Steve Hambleton, AMA President, saying it would permit a significant change in the professional role of pharmacists, would not be in the best interests of patients, or of the professional relationship between doctors and pharmacists.
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