Community pharmacies across Tasmania are joining forces with local GPs and the Department of Health to help support palliative care patients who choose to stay at home receive care and medicine in a comfortable, familiar environment.
Pharmacists and GPs will receive training in the prescribing and dispensing of essential palliative medicines from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
One-off incentive payments of $200 are also being offered for pharmacies to participate in the program which will assist them in the purchase of core medicines.
The service will provide valuable additional support to patients, families and health care professionals working in the community.
The service will also increase the specialist support available to Tasmanians and in doing so help to avoid unnecessary hospital attendances.
Patients and their carers can visit the Pharmacy Guild of Australia website, findapharmacy.com.au, to locate their nearest palliative-prepared pharmacy.