Mon 19 May 2025
Tasmanian investment in pharmacist prescribing the latest win for patients
AdPha applauds landmark boost to aged-care patient safety, cementing its leadership in collaborative prescribing
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s $5 million investment to expand pharmacist scope of practice, announced by Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Roger Jaensch as part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
The investment includes a nation-first pilot allowing pharmacists to prescribe medicines in aged care settings—an initiative long championed by AdPha and its members.
AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) praised the announcement as a leap forward for safer and more efficient medicines management in aged care.
‘This is a game-changer for aged care.
'Pharmacist-led collaborative prescribing has been pioneered in hospitals by AdPha members for over a decade—now we’re seeing that model extended to where it’s urgently needed and where pharmacists work in new and emerging specialty roles.
‘I commend Minister Jaensch and his team for backing a model that delivers safer, faster access to essential medicines while freeing up stretched medical and nursing capacity.’
Mr Simpson says the initiative builds on more than 12 years of work by AdPha members to advance collaborative prescribing models in hospitals—work that has earned both national recognition and increased adoption across Australian jurisdictions.
‘Tasmania was one of the early adopters of this approach.
‘It’s fantastic to see the state leading again by expanding pharmacist co-prescribing into aged care—one of the most complex and underserved areas of healthcare.
‘This announcement follows the Tasmanian Government’s Pharmacist Scope of Practice Review Final Report, which recommended extending collaborative prescribing to aged care and general practice—recommendations AdPha has consistently supported through formal submissions at both state and federal levels.’
‘This is a smart, strategic investment that will deliver better outcomes for older Tasmanians. We look forward to helping make it a national benchmark.’