Over 10 million telehealth consultations between Australians and their health care providers have already been made possible during COVID-19 and many of these have been able to receive medicines due to Australia’s digitally progressive pharmacists.
The interim image-based supply of medicine model adopted due to COVID-19 saw pharmacists again being the front line of digital transformation – enabling patients and prescribers to access medicines when physical contact was not possible.
The move to electronic prescriptions will make it even easier for Australians wanting to do the right thing and isolate, to receive care from their doctors and pharmacists from their own homes.
This week, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is launching a dedicated pharmacist support line to help pharmacists and pharmacy staff with electronic prescriptions.
PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said “the interim image-based supply of medicine model implemented during the COVID-19 was critical to ensure the supply of medicines during the global pandemic – but it has put significant pressure on pharmacists with unclear laws and in some instances put patients and the community at risk”.
“The number one inquiry we have received from pharmacists during the COVID-19 Pandemic has been around interim image-based supply of medicine arrangements” he said.
“PSA welcomes the announcement by Government to move now to a staged and planned implementation of formal electronic prescription arrangements – which will see a safer, clearer and more secure electronic prescriptions model which protects patient’s privacy and safety.”
To support pharmacists to make the transition, PSA, today is pleased to offer a dedicated electronic prescriptions support line for pharmacists, staffed by experienced pharmacists who have access to the latest workflow information on how to adopt electronic prescriptions.
“I would urge any pharmacist or pharmacy support staff member to utilise the support line which will not only benefit them but in turn help pharmacies better educate their patients and members of the public on how electronic prescriptions work” said A/Prof Freeman.
The support line will be available to pharmacists Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00pm on 1300 955 162 or email
