More pressure on NQ pharmacy trial
Another medical group has withdrawn its support for the North Queensland pharmacy trial.
The North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) joined AMA Queensland, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM) and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) in quitting the steering committee overseeing the pilot program.
The pilot would allow pharmacists in 37 local government areas to diagnose and prescribe drugs for 23 serious conditions – including diabetes, middle ear infections and hypertension – without GP supervision.
AMA Queensland, the RACGP and ACCRM withdrew from the steering committee in January when the scope of the trial became apparent, and more than 175 North Queensland doctors have banded together to call for the pilot to be scrapped.
QAIHC withdrew last month in protest at the lack of consultation with Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations in the affected areas.
A week later, NQPHN withdrew over perceived conflicts of interest. Its representative, PHN chair Nick Loukas, owns several pharmacies in the trial area and is a member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
However, the ABC reported it had seen documents showing that steering committee members, including Mr Loukas, did not declare any conflicts of interest at an October 2021 meeting.
Mr Loukas told the ABC he had stepped down to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest and has recused himself from any further NQPHN Board discussions regarding the pilot.
NQPHN chief executive Robin Whyte told the ABC that the network had “reviewed its participation” and “has determined to withdraw our participation.”
In a statement to the ABC, Queensland Health said the time frame for the pilot was currently under review.
“Further information about the scope of the North Queensland pilot will be made available as soon as it is finalised, including the types of services to be provided and how they will be delivered,” it said.
AMA Queensland has resources available to help you campaign against this trial. Visit our Stop the NQ Pharmacy Trial campaign web page for more details.
More than 5,000 people have signed an online petition started by Brisbane GP Dr Steph Dawson-Smith calling for the pilot to be scrapped.
You can sign her petition here.