Access to essential medications is a critical component of healthcare for seniors in Australia. As the elderly population continues to grow, ensuring that older individuals have the medicines they need becomes increasingly important.
In this article, we will explore the need for seniors to have expanded access to medications, the benefits of such access, and discuss a new pilot programme in northern Queensland that successfully expanded to the entire state, addressing this pressing issue.
Access to Medications for Seniors
Australia’s ageing population is a well-documented demographic shift, with 16 per cent of the population now aged 65 and older – an estimated 4.2 million as of mid-2020, according to the AIHW. With age often comes an increased prevalence of chronic health conditions, which, in turn, leads to a higher demand for prescription medications, including those being included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 60-day supply expansion.
Unfortunately, not all seniors have equal access to the medicines they require for a variety of reasons:
- Geographical barriers – Many seniors in rural and remote areas face challenges in accessing pharmacies, which can limit their ability to obtain necessary medications.
- Financial constraints – The cost of medications can be a significant burden for seniors, especially those living on fixed incomes. High prescription costs can force some seniors to skip doses or forgo necessary medications altogether.
- Complex regimens – As seniors often manage multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, they may require several medications. Keeping track of these prescriptions and refills can be daunting, even worse if they have issues with memory recall, that a carer is often needed to remind them of the time they must take their medicines.
- Transportation issues – Seniors with limited mobility or no access to transportation may find it challenging to visit a pharmacy regularly to refill their prescriptions.
Benefits of Expanded Access to Medications for Seniors
Elderly people may have much to look forward to if there are expanded measures to guide them with accessing medicines, whether prescription or over the counter.
Improved Health Outcomes
Ensuring that seniors have easy access to their prescribed medications can lead to better health outcomes. When medications are readily available, seniors are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, reducing the risk of complications from chronic conditions.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Medications can alleviate pain, control symptoms, and improve overall well-being. Expanded access allows seniors to maintain a higher quality of life.
Cost Savings
When seniors can access their prescribed medications, they are less likely to experience health setbacks leading to costly hospitalisations. This, in turn, can save healthcare costs for both individuals and the healthcare system.
Independence
Access to medications can help seniors maintain their independence. When health conditions are well-managed, seniors can continue to live in their homes and communities rather than needing more intensive care.
Reduced Healthcare Disparities
Expanding medication access can help reduce healthcare disparities by ensuring that all seniors, regardless of their location or financial status, can obtain the medications they need.
The Northern Queensland Pilot Programme
Recognising the need to address medication access for seniors, a pilot programme was initiated in northern Queensland to improve pharmaceutical services for older individuals in the region, from Mackay to the Torres Strait. It is a joint undertaking of the Queensland Government and the state chapters of the Pharmaceutical Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
The North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot aimed to overcome geographical barriers, reduce medication costs, and enhance the overall experience for seniors requiring prescription medications. The programme followed the success of the similarly-successful Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot.
North Queensland was chosen for the original Pilot to address a major shortage of GPs in practice – with 97 job openings still vacant, as noted by the state Health and Environment Committee.
Scope
The object of the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot is to allow community pharmacies to prescribe more medicines for chronic conditions such as asthma, nausea, runny nose, mild heart ailments, and acute muscle pain. Vaccines for certain medical ailments will also be administered at pharmacy level, and pharmacists will guide patients on other health issues such as support for people seeking to quit smoking, weight management, and contraception.
However, a patient must pay out-of-pocket for consultations under the Pilot and any medicines prescribed will not be subsidised under the PBS.
For a Queensland community pharmacy to be eligible for the Pilot, it must be:
- Accredited by the Quality Care Pharmacy Programme
- Meets Quality Care Pharmacy Standard requirements
- Has adequate consultation space so patients can talk to the community pharmacist behind closed doors.
The QUT and James Cook University have signed on to train 300 North Queensland pharmacists attached to the Pilot for the above non-medicine related tasks, as well as increased interaction with patients from First Nations communities. They are slated to start with the expanded services in March 2024.
Statewide Expansion
The success of the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot garnered attention and support from policymakers and healthcare professionals. Recognising the success, state Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Minister Shannon Fentiman said on 25 September 2023 that the time was ripe to bring all Queenslanders into the Pilot’s fold. The government is recruiting more pharmacists for the statewide rollout in 2024 and 2025, to be known as the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
“This nation-first pharmacy pilot is an innovative way to ensure Queenslanders have access to high-quality and cost-effective primary healthcare. I want all Queenslanders to benefit from innovative models of healthcare, which is why we are expanding this pilot state-wide. The UTI Pharmacy Pilot and international evidence shows that allowing pharmacists to prescribe for common conditions is a safe and efficient way to improve health outcomes,” the minister said.
However, the expansion has attracted some criticism from the RACGP and the Australian Medical Association, both its national secretariat and the Queensland chapter. All three groups claimed they were not informed of any expansion plans even though they joined initial discussions for the North QLD project.
“As a GP in far north Queensland, I am concerned for the safety of my patients and our vulnerable regional communities. There is also a central conflict of interest in this pilot, as it removes the important separation between prescribing and dispensing, which is a basic safety mechanism in our health system. Instead, it sees pharmacists put in a deeply conflicted position where they will assess a patient’s condition and gain financial benefit from selling them a medication. The state government has decided to ignore nationally agreed processes established to ensure safe and appropriate prescribing, as well as decisions made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),” said RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins.
The Future of Medication Access for Seniors
Expanding access to medications for seniors is a crucial step in ensuring the health and well-being of Australia’s ageing population. The success of the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot demonstrates that innovative solutions can address the challenges faced by seniors in accessing prescription medications.
To build on this success and ensure that seniors across Australia can benefit from improved medication access, the following steps can be considered:
Replicating Successful Models
Other states and territories can replicate the successful strategies implemented in northern Queensland to improve medication access for seniors.
Pharmacist Collaboration
Encouraging greater collaboration between pharmacists and healthcare providers can ensure that seniors receive comprehensive medication management, including regular reviews of their medication regimens.
Telehealth Expansion
Expanding telehealth services for prescription renewals and consultations can benefit seniors who have limited mobility or live in remote areas.
Continued Advocacy
Healthcare organisations, policymakers, and advocacy groups can continue to push for policies and programs that prioritise medication access for seniors.
Expanding access to prescription medications for seniors in Australia is not only a matter of health but also a matter of social equity and justice. The success of the above Pilot in Queensland serves as a testament to the positive impact of innovative solutions in addressing this issue. By prioritising medication access and advocating for policies that support seniors’ pharmaceutical needs, we can ensure that Australia’s elderly population enjoys the benefits of improved health and a better quality of life.
The A.S.A.G. Reverse Mortgage
The A.S.A.G. Reverse Mortgage can aid in medication support for a senior living in areas that have manageable lines of communication. A medical expenses financing may help seniors pay for out-of-pocket expenses for medical consultations under the Pilot or prescription meds not subsidised in the PBS.
Please contact the A.S.A.G. at 1300 002 724 or send an email to info@asagfirst.com.au to determine your funding for medications. You can also use the equity assessment tool below.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official advice. A.S.A.G. is not affiliated with any mentioned brands or companies.