Support for prescription-free facilities

A peak industry association has backed a proposal that could remove the need for prescriptions in nursing homes.

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) said in a submission to the community pharmacy review, that it supports the use of medication charts for ordering and administering PBS [Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] drugs for aged care residents.

“A list of criteria would need to be developed and agreed upon by key stakeholders as to what a medication chart would need to include to fulfill the PBS prescription requirements, legislative requirements and functional requirements for aged care staff,” the ACSA submission said.

The group also gave support to a model in which aged care facilities would form agreements with local GP practices to perform regular medication reviews.

Under the model, participating GPs would be paid a retainer, or a sliding fee, to carry out an agreed number of reviews in a given period of time.

ACSA pointed out that this concept had already been implemented by a number of divisions of general practice under the former Aged Care Panels Initiative.

However the association raised concerns about a proposal which would allow pharmacists to obtain authority approvals for increased quantities and repeats without GP consultation.

“This decision should be based upon a medical practitioner’s assessment of whether such action is clinically appropriate,” the submission said.

The ACSA submission also commended the use of discharge summaries when residents are transferring from hospital to aged care facilities.

These documents, which have been implemented by some hospitals, list the patient’s medication regime on admission to hospital and at discharge.

“This practice should be encouraged as it is very helpful to the facility, the GP and, more importantly, the health and well being of the resident,” the submission said.