The University of Tasmania is partnering with James Cook University (JCU) to support the rapid development of Tasmania’s pharmacist prescribing workforce, helping meet immediate health system needs while building long-term local capability.
Through the partnership, Tasmanian pharmacists will be able to study JCU’s accredited Graduate Certificate in Advanced Practice and Prescribing.
The course will help pharmacists gain the skills they need to prescribe some medicines and provide more healthcare services in their communities.
As part of the program, just over 40 Tasmanian pharmacists are undertaking intensive workshops this week at the University's Inveresk Campus.
“This is a practical partnership focused on solutions for Tasmania,” Professor Glenn Jacobson, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Tasmania, said.
Professor Jacobson said the partnership with James Cook University helped to enable Tasmanian pharmacists to gain the skills and confidence to deliver more care in their local communities, while supporting the State’s immediate health workforce needs.
“By working with JCU, we can support pharmacists to build prescribing capability now, while strengthening the foundations for future education and training," he said.
President of the Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild, Joe O’Malley, said that local community pharmacists were excited to be training.
“Tasmania has some of the best community pharmacists in the country, and we’re proud to see these talented health professionals in training right now to expand their scope of practice,” he said.
“To meet the needs of our patients and provide more options for them to access healthcare, we know we need every health professional making the most of their skills.
“This training, delivered by James Cook University at the University of Tasmania, means community pharmacists will have the skills they need to treat more conditions – things like ear infections, shingles, or managing minor wounds.”
Mr O’Malley said that community pharmacists delivered care safely and effectively, noting that in recent years they had been approved to treat uncomplicated UTIs, deliver more vaccinations, and provide hormonal contraception services following training.
“Expanding community pharmacists’ scope of practice means better access to more health services for patients across Tasmania,” he said.