Strategies to promote access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aust J Gen Pract
; 49(8): 530-532, 2020 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-691741
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable and older people with chronic and complex conditions have self-isolated in their homes, potentially limiting opportunities for consultations to have medications prescribed and dispensed.OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this article is to describe initiatives to ensure ongoing access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.DISCUSSION:
Cooperation between wholesalers and purchase limits in pharmacies have helped to ensure supply of essential medications. Therapeutic substitution by pharmacists is permitted for specific products authorised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prescribers are permitted to issue digital image prescriptions, and implementation of electronic prescribing has been fast-tracked. Expanded continued dispensing arrangements introduced during the bushfire crises have been temporarily extended. Pharmacists are permitted to provide medication management reviews via telehealth. A Home Medicines Service has been introduced to facilitate delivery of medications to people who are vulnerable or elderly. Anticipatory prescribing and medication imprest systems are valuable for access to end-of-life medications within residential aged care.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pharmaceutical Services
/
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Drugs, Essential
/
Medication Therapy Management
/
Pandemics
/
Health Services Accessibility
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
English
Journal:
Aust J Gen Pract
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS