As community pharmacists across Australia continue to offer a growing list of convenient healthcare treatments, some confusion has emerged about the services on offer. Here are some common myths about treatments in community pharmacies and the facts you should know.
MYTH: Pharmacists aren’t trained to treat everyday health conditions.
FACT: All pharmacists delivering additional services have successfully completed additional training. The scale of the training depends on what services are going to be offered. To be able to provide the maximum number of services pharmacists, will return to university or training programs to update and practice their clinical skills. No pharmacist can offer services that they are not trained to provide.
MYTH: Pharmacists are trying to be GPs
FACT: Pharmacists have always played a key role in providing healthcare to patients. Pharmacists being trained to diagnose and treat everyday health conditions like school sores or earache and manage chronic conditions like asthma and high blood pressure relieves pressure from GPs, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
MYTH: Pharmacists won’t be able to tell if something is serious
FACT: Pharmacists are trained to treat certain conditions – and to identify and refer other conditions. Pharmacists will always encourage patients to see a GP or visit a hospital if the patient displays serious symptoms or warning signs.
Pharmacists are highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals. Already they save lives and help patients every single day. Ultimately, all additional training will enhance their clinical skills which will benefit all patients.
MYTH: Pharmacists will prescribe unnecessary medicine for the revenue
FACT: Pharmacists already provide free advice and referrals to those who visit the pharmacy. They understand their duty to their patient which is embedded within their professional guidelines and code of conduct.
MYTH: Going to a pharmacist will fragment my care and mean my GP doesn’t know what treatment I’ve received
FACT: The priority is giving patients the right treatment at the right time by a qualified healthcare professional. Patients find community pharmacy convenient and accessible. Pharmacists will talk to you about sharing information with your healthcare team when you consult with them.
MYTH: It’s impossible to know which pharmacies are offering which services for patients.
FACT: You can search for a community pharmacy near you offering additional, or traditional services here on Find a Pharmacy
