Expanded practice, healthcare investment and changing patient expectations are in focus across Australian pharmacy this week. From calls for autonomous pharmacist prescribing in Victoria to rising healthcare expenditure and new insights into how Australians value their healthcare practitioners, the latest developments point to a pharmacy sector taking on an increasingly important role in the wider health system.
💊 Pharmacists push for autonomous prescribing
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch is calling on all political parties to support autonomous prescribing by suitably qualified pharmacists ahead of the Victorian state election. The push puts pharmacists’ expanding clinical role firmly on the policy agenda as the profession advocates for greater use of its skills within primary care.
💰 Healthcare spending continues to grow
Pharmacy Daily highlighted new reporting on Australian healthcare expenditure, with health spending growing faster than population growth. The figures add to the conversation around the sustainability of healthcare investment as demand and expectations across the system continue to evolve. [pharmacydaily.com.au]
🤝 Australians continue to value healthcare professionals
Australians continue to place strong trust and value in healthcare practitioners, according to the latest NAB Health Insights report highlighted by Pharmacy Daily. At the same time, expectations around the broader patient experience are evolving, creating an opportunity for pharmacies and other health providers to consider how clinical care and service experience work together.
