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Tasmanian Community Pharmacy Program
About the program
In 2021 the Tasmanian Government committed to undertake a scope of practice review for local pharmacists and to consider what other services and support pharmacists could safely provide for the community (the Review). In December 2022, KPMG were appointed to conduct the review and provided their report in mid-2023. View the Pharmacist Scope of Practice Review Final Report. The Tasmanian Government has accepted all the recommendations made in the report.
The first step in implementing the recommendations will allow endorsed pharmacists, practising in approved premises to be involved in a 12-month program to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). The program will commence on 1 March 2024.
To participate in the 12-month program, pharmacists will need to complete an approved UTI training course and complete an application form.
Pharmacy premises are also required to apply to be involved in the program.
Resources
View the Protocol for Management of Urinary Tract Infections
View the Tasmanian Community Pharmacy Program - Forms
View the UTI Pharmacy Information Pack
View the UTI Consumer Consent and Handout
Interim Authorisation
Poisons Act 1971 S. R. 2023, No. 86 Poisons (Interim Authorisation) Order 2023
Poisons (Interim Authorisation) Order 2023. This order –
(a) declares pharmacists to be authorised health professionals for the purposes of the Poisons Act 1971; and
(b) declares the Department of Health to be the authorised body for pharmacists; and
(c) authorises pharmacists to possess, sell, supply and prescribe certain scheduled substances in certain circumstances
1. Authorisation in relation to pharmacists
A pharmacist, in the lawful practice of the pharmacist's profession, is authorised to possess, sell, supply or prescribe a scheduled substance, subject to the following conditions:
(a) that the possession, sale, supply or prescribing of the scheduled substance is in accordance with section 25C(2) of the Act·
that the scheduled substance is only prescribed in accordance with -
a treatment plan, in respect of a specific patient, that is produced by a medical practitioner; or
a protocol, in relation to the prescribing of that substance by a pharmacist, published by the department responsible for the administration of the Act.
Authorised training options
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia - Managing uncomplicated cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection)
Australasian College of Pharmacy - Uncomplicated Cystitis Treatment - Pharmacist Training (Tasmania)
Information for medical officers
What is the pilot?
A 12-month pilot program has been announced by the Tasmanian Government to allow pharmacists to assess and, where appropriate, provide antibiotics for the management of uncomplicated UTIs for women aged 18 to 65.
Assessment and Treatment Protocol
An interim authorisation has been signed to allow pharmacists to prescribe according to the Protocol for Management of Urinary Tract Infections. The protocol has been developed in collaboration with a Project Reference Group with expert input from GPs and infectious diseases and general physicians.
The protocol has been based on the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urological Infections.
Communication and coordination with GPs
The patient’s usual GP (or GP practice) is expected to be provided with information on the patient’s condition and treatment, it is encouraged for this to occur when antibiotics are prescribed or not.
Pharmacists are required to obtain consent from each patient, to inform their GP of the consultation and/or treatment. If the patient provides appropriate consent, pharmacists will also be required to update My Health Record with dispensing records of antibiotics provided under the pilot.
Pharmacists will be required to document each consultation in specified pharmacy software. Pharmacists are encouraged to provide each patient with a printed consultation record and are required to share a copy of the consultation summary with the patient’s nominated GP with the patient’s consent.
The project team strongly recommend that information is sent by a secure transfer system such as Healthlinks.
People seeking treatment, but who are ineligible under the management protocols, will need to be referred to a GP or other healthcare provider.
It is strongly recommended that pharmacists encourage patients to promptly seek medical care wherever referral is necessary, it is also recommended that the recommended timeframe for follow up is documented in their clinical systems and on any information given to the patient or sent to the GP (e.g. patient has been referred to see GP within the next 24 hours).
Adverse outcomes and clinical incidents
Incident reporting plays a crucial role in promoting a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement in healthcare settings. If medical officers become aware of adverse outcomes involving patients participating in the pilot such as adverse drug reactions, escalation of care (e.g. hospitalisation) or clinical errors, you are advised to follow the steps below:
- Make contact with the pharmacist/ pharmacy where the care was provided.
- In the case of an adverse medication reaction, consider the need to report to the TGA.
- Inform the Department of Health - Pharmacy Scope team on [email protected]
The Department will also provide guidance to the public on the process recommended that they follow should they become aware of clinical incidents involving the UTI pilot. Contact details for AHPRA and the Health Complaints Commission are also provided and recommended to be used only where initial contact has not provided a suitable resolution.
