Official guidelines that give pharmacists the right to issue medical certificates have been released, and local pharmacies are getting involved.

A 2006 legislative change has allowed specialists to diagnose time off, provided they are acting within their competency.

Although unlike a doctor’s

certificate, a medical certificate issued by a pharmacist under the Act is for the purpose of

informing a person’s employer in relation to sick leave or carer’s leave and may not be valid for other purposes.

Priceline Pharmacists and local zone president for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Greg Shearing believes the service is a positive thing for patients who are suffering from simple viruses.

“There is no prescription remedy that a doctor can give to a patient who is suffering from a

general cold,” he said.

“And a lot of the time rest can be beneficial not only for the patient’s health but by preventing the

transition of the cold to other

people. The service works well for patients, especially when booking doctors’ appointments can be

difficult, as long as the pharmacist is responsible and as a whole most are.”

Tony Lawler owns three local pharmacies and said his

businesses would be offering the service to Dubbo, but said he would only be offering certificates for short-term illnesses.

“We are able to issue medical certificates after assessing the patient for minor aliments such as colds, sore throats, rashes and so on providing we are acting within our competency.

“We would only be offering certificates for a day or two - for anything longer than that we would advise the patient to see a doctor.”

Pharmacist Rex Wintle at O’Donnell’s Pharmacy thinks it’s something that won’t take off for some time yet.

“We are always looking for ways to broaden our services for our

customers and we think that this is a very positive and practical service for the community,” he said.

“We haven’t had anyone use the service yet, and I don’t think it will take off any time soon.”

Mr Wintle said he believed

pharmacists had the knowledge and skills to properly assess patients who were suffering from minor aliments. “Bear in mind that those factors of treatment are covered when it comes to study at university, so I think that pharmacists are able enough to make a professional judgement as to whether a patient needs a medical certificate or not,” he said.

anna.yeo@ruralpress.com