Queensland pharmacy trial: ‘Independent’ prescribing ruled out for five conditions

The Queensland Government trial will launch next year

The Queensland Government has abandoned its plan to let pharmacists prescribe independently for five conditions including type 2 diabetes and COPD, in a partial win for GP groups.  

Instead, these conditions will have “protocol or structured” prescribing arrangements when the state’s controversial pharmacy trial finally begins in mid-2023.

The pilot in North Queensland was originally scheduled to begin in June this year, according to a radical draft plan leaked to Australian Doctor in January. 

But after a backlash from doctors, who are still calling for the entire scheme to be killed off, Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath has taken a small step back.