Pharmacists at odds over certificates

Richard Payne

A decision by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to let pharmacists provide medical certificates for short periods of sick and carer’s leave has divided local pharmacists.

The guidelines advise pharmacists against issuing certificates for longer than two days and state that people with chronic medical conditions should be referred to their medical practitioner.

Manager of Blooms Chemist at Shellharbour George Bridge praised the guidelines, saying he hoped it would ease pressure on the ailing local health system.

“We hope to have the facilities to offer medical certificates by winter,” he said.

“With the WorkChoices demand that medical certificates are needed for all weekdays, people will be able to come in, see a pharmacist and not be forced to wait hours at medical centres.”

Despite a number of positive comments from local pharmacists in regards to the new scheme, there were an equal number of negative responses.

“I see a few issues with the guidelines,” Blooms Shellharbour Square Manager Greg Cadorin said.

“We will wait for more information to become available before deciding whether to offer the service.

“With the service not subsidised by Medicare there will be a considerable cost involved to the patient.”

Although not willing to be named, a number of local chemists shared Mr Cadorin’s view with the majority of them against the proposal, concerned with workload.

“I’m not really sure if it is worth taking up,” a Warilla pharmacist said. “I see it as more as a doctor’s job.

“We are pretty busy on a regular basis and this would just add to that.”