On the recent World Pharmacists Day, it was reported that the Australian community fully supports the practice of the pharmacy profession. In the research stated in the Retail Pharmacy Magazine, around 77% of the Australian participants said that they trust pharmacists for providing health and medicine advice on common health conditions. Additionally, more than 80% of the participants also said that they are at ease with these healthcare professionals providing flu and antiviral vaccination services to both children and adults.
According to Professor Trent Twomey, the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the services of pharmacists are all that the community wants and needs. Aside from the vaccines, Australians also find it convenient when pharmacists provide cholesterol monitoring, drug dosage adjustments, and certain hormone therapy services. Lastly, 60% of the participants also appreciate the ear, nose, and throat treatment provision of pharmacists. Some of these ENT conditions are mild ear infections and tonsillitis.
Previously, there was this UTI Pharmacy Pilot where pharmacy services also include assessment and provision of medications for mild UTI symptoms. According to Professor Twomey, these services of pharmacists allowed the community to reduce their waiting time when accessing a general practitioner.
In the study, around 28% of the participants had to wait more than a week to get their appointment with their respective GP. Moreover, 11% of them had to wait more than three weeks, and this is alarming, especially in regional areas. There is a shortage in the workforce of medical doctors in the country, and the skills of pharmacists allow them to reduce their exhaustion and burden.
Pharmacists’ Roles During Disasters
Pharmacists are more than sellers of medicines. They are healthcare professionals who are ready to go above and beyond to help the community, even during disastrous times. Because of these duties and workloads, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia with other healthcare organisations called for the proper recognition of pharmacists.
Last September 16, there was a conference that called for the creation of a Northern Rivers Healthcare Businesses Grant. The following organisations are present during that time:
Representatives of the Guild
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Medical Staff Council of Northern NSW,
Representatives from local pharmacies, clinics, and doctors
Generally, this proposal aims to improve the current health situation of the country and help the community at all costs in times of disaster.
Community Pharmacy: Importance Before and After Covid
Pharmacists, especially in the community area, have played an important role from the start of the pandemic up to today. What is more interesting is that their role does not stop and will continue to grow and evolve because of increasing health services techniques such as telehealth.
Aside from providing treatment for existing health conditions of patients, pharmacists are also responsible for providing illness prevention. There are many medications and vaccines in the profession that are used for prophylaxis, and pharmacists are very knowledgeable about these drugs.
If you want to work as a community pharmacist and help Australians during times of disaster, Raven’s Recruitment can help you out. At Raven’s Recruitment, we can help you find the best locum and full-time pharmacy jobs not just in the community pharmacy profession but in hospitals and other areas as well.
Since 1987, Raven's Recruitment has been specialising in Pharmacist recruitment, so we have expert knowledge in the space. If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to work as a locum pharmacist or want a permanent job, then look no further - get in touch with our Recruitment Consultants today.
