J Simon Bell1, Lorenna Reynolds2, Christopher Freeman3, John K Jackson4. 1. BPharm (Hons), PhD, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Vic; NHMRC Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, Hornsby, NSW; NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Frailty and Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, SA; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic; Sansom Institute, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA. 2. BPharm (Hons), GradCertPharmPracInt, Research Officer, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Vic. 3. BPharm, GDipClinPharm, PhD, Associate Professor, Centre for Optimising Pharmacy Practice-based Excellence in Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Qld; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Deakin, ACT. 4. BPharm, GradDipHospPharm, MPH, Director: Project Pharmacist, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Vic.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable and older people with chronic and complex conditions have self-isolated in their homes, potentially limiting opportunities for consultations to have medications prescribed and dispensed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe initiatives to ensure ongoing access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION: Cooperation between wholesalers and purchase limits in pharmacies have helped to ensure supply of essential medications. Therapeutic substitution by pharmacists is permitted for specific products authorised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prescribers are permitted to issue digital image prescriptions, and implementation of electronic prescribing has been fast-tracked. Expanded continued dispensing arrangements introduced during the bushfire crises have been temporarily extended. Pharmacists are permitted to provide medication management reviews via telehealth. A Home Medicines Service has been introduced to facilitate delivery of medications to people who are vulnerable or elderly. Anticipatory prescribing and medication imprest systems are valuable for access to end-of-life medications within residential aged care.
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable and older people with chronic and complex conditions have self-isolated in their homes, potentially limiting opportunities for consultations to have medications prescribed and dispensed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe initiatives to ensure ongoing access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION: Cooperation between wholesalers and purchase limits in pharmacies have helped to ensure supply of essential medications. Therapeutic substitution by pharmacists is permitted for specific products authorised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prescribers are permitted to issue digital image prescriptions, and implementation of electronic prescribing has been fast-tracked. Expanded continued dispensing arrangements introduced during the bushfire crises have been temporarily extended. Pharmacists are permitted to provide medication management reviews via telehealth. A Home Medicines Service has been introduced to facilitate delivery of medications to people who are vulnerable or elderly. Anticipatory prescribing and medication imprest systems are valuable for access to end-of-life medications within residential aged care.
Authors: Ian Maidment; Emma Young; Maura MacPhee; Andrew Booth; Hadar Zaman; Juanita Breen; Andrea Hilton; Tony Kelly; Geoff Wong Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-06-16 Impact factor: 2.692