Doctors report patient complications following Queensland pharmacy prescribing trial

An AMA Queensland survey has found at least 240 patients were misdiagnosed during a pharmacy prescribing pilot.

The health of the public is at risk if a North Queensland pharmacy prescribing program for 23 medical conditions goes ahead next month.

The Queensland government is ignoring the many red flags raised by the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot, which has allowed pharmacists to provide treatment to women with suspected UTI, across the state since June 2020.

At least 240 patients who have been treated by pharmacists during the UTI pilot have suffered complications from misdiagnosis – most commonly sexually transmitted infections, but also cancerous conditions and pregnancies, the AMA Queensland (AMAQ) has found in a survey it conducted earlier this year.

Patients were also sold antibiotics, which were not only inappropriate but dangerous, and one in five GPs, and one in eight of all doctors who responded to the survey – including emergency doctors and oncologists - reported seeing at least one complication.

The Queensland University of Technology managed the pilot’s implementation and evaluation and provided a research study to Queensland Health. However, this information has not been made publicly available despite requests from the AMAQ.

The Queensland government argues the UTI pilot and the proposed North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot is about addressing the shortage of GPs in North Queensland, but how is delivering inferior and flawed patient care the answer to a GP shortage?

The AMA will continue to work to stop this disregard for and undermining of public health and devaluing of GP training, knowledge and experience, and to make sure accurate and transparent data is brought to the public.