Australia: Independent exchange of active ingredients by pharmacists


Pharmacists in Queensland are now allowed to select another suitable drug with the same indication if a medicine is unavailable, without consulting a doctor. / © Getty Images/MJ_Prototype
Since the pandemic, the German pharmacists have been demanding more autonomy and flexibility in the substitution of Medicines . As the trade magazine »Australian Pharmacist« reports, our colleagues in Down Under are already further along. Since July 1, Pharmacies in the Australian state of Queensland can independently substitute medicines with suitable alternatives. This is the first such regulation in Australia.
If the prescribed medication is unavailable, Australian pharmacists are now permitted to substitute it with an equivalent medication without a doctor's approval. A medicine is considered equivalent if it is listed on the Therapeutic Goods Register for the same indication. It must also have a comparable therapeutic effect and a similar chemical composition or mechanism of action. Pharmacists are also permitted to make therapeutic adjustments, such as changes in dosage, as long as the effect remains the same.
Responsibility for the substitution lies with the pharmacists, who are required to carefully document the process. Substitution may not be performed without the consent of the patient, who must be informed of the procedure beforehand. Furthermore, pharmacies cannot be forced to perform a substitution by their patients or by a physician.
"Patients benefit from having their medication problems resolved directly in the pharmacy, taxpayers benefit from lower health insurance costs, and pharmacists benefit from greater autonomy," Karen Castle of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia told the Australian Pharmacist. "However, this also comes with increased responsibility," Castle emphasized.

pharmazeutische-zeitung