Fri 10 November 2023
SHPA welcomes pharmacy recommendations in final ADHD report
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) welcomes the release of the final government report into assessment and support services for people with ADHD which outlines 15 recommendations including three supported by written submission and evidence provided by SHPA representatives Natalie Tasker FANZCAP and Jerry Yik FANZCAP.
As the only pharmacy organisation to contribute to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry, SHPA now calls on the Federal Government to implement the recommendations, including broadening PBS criteria for ADHD medicines access; ensuring patients receive timely assessment and support services through expanding scope of practice for healthcare professionals; and expediting the development of uniform prescribing rules to ensure consistency between states and territories.
SHPA President Tom Simpson said as specialty paediatric and mental health pharmacists play a key role in the management of ADHD patients, their suggestions and concerns were integral to the inquiry.
‘There are many challenges faced by pharmacists in ensuring ADHD patients, especially those with complex needs, receive appropriate and timely care and so we are pleased SHPA representatives Nat Tasker and Jerry Yik contributed much-needed pharmacist voices to the hearing in Melbourne.’
Ms Tasker, a Member of the SHPA Paediatrics and Neonatology Leadership Committee, said she was especially proud to contribute to the proceedings and see hospital pharmacy recommendations in the final report.
‘It is often challenging for patients and families to navigate the use of stimulant therapy which is made unnecessarily complex by different jurisdictional requirements depending on the state or territory where the patient is receiving treatment and where their prescription is dispensed.
‘As pharmacists, we have long advocated for national consistency in prescribing rules so we can spend more time doing clinically meaningful work and less time dealing with paperwork.
‘As such, it is particularly pleasing to see this issue addressed as one of the 15 recommendations.’
‘We are hopeful the federal Government will adopt this, and all of the recommendations within the report, so pharmacists can continue the vital role they play in medicines safety, treatment success and ensuring ADHD patients are well informed of their care.’