Recent legislative change now allows Northern Territory pharmacists to provide antibiotic treatment without a prescription from a prescriber for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), to patients who meet certain criteria. It is important to note that this is not a trial; pharmacists who complete the training and the steps below are authorised to supply the antibiotics approved in the NT Health Pharmacist Management of Uncomplicated UTI Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol (UTI SSTP) V4.
Prior to offering this service, pharmacists must:
- Confirm their insurance coverage – the PDL Master Policy automatically includes Professional Indemnity cover for members who provide this service in line with the NT Health UTI SSTP V4 Protocol.
- Complete the approved training program as outlined in the NT Health UTI SSTP V4 Protocol. Currently both the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Australasian College of Pharmacy offer approved training programs.
- Familiarise themselves with the indications and requirements of sale or supply of antibiotics and documentation requirements as outlined in the NT Health UTI SSTP V4 Protocol.
- Ensure they are registered with Ahpra. Intern pharmacists can legally deliver this service.
- Comply with all relevant legislation.
- Ensure that conversations during the service can be held in an area and manner that allows for patient privacy and confidentiality. Ensure that policies and procedures are in place to manage all aspects of workflow.
PDL recommends that pharmacists working in community pharmacies undertake the necessary training early to provide sufficient time to understand the logistics of implementing and offering the service in their workplace. PDL stresses the importance of obtaining patient consent prior to offering the service.
Lessons learned from interstate services
- Ensure the pharmacy has adequate protocols and procedures in place for the service and that all staff are trained in their roles. Guidance on this can be found in the PDL ‘Look before you leap’ CPD activity.
- Ensure patients are aware of symptoms and responses that warrant referral to a GP or hospital – from time-to-time patients may experience an adverse event or fail to respond to antibiotic therapy. It is important that documentation is kept, reflecting what has been provided to the patient, and that appropriate referral mechanisms are highlighted to the patient should they fail to respond to treatment or experience an adverse event. In addition, the NT Health UTI SSTP V4 Protocol advises the following:
- Patients must be advised to seek further medical advice if symptoms worsen or persist after the course of treatment or reoccur within six months of treatment.
- The pharmacist must complete and retain a clinical record of treatment and provide a service summary for the patient.
- Upload a record of the supply to the patient’s My Health Record where present with the patient’s consent.
PDL also recommends that patients are provided with adequate counselling and the Consumer Medicines Information.
Reporting to PDL
Pharmacists are reminded to report any event or incident to PDL, and internally via the pharmacy’s incident reporting procedures. PDL is ready to support NT pharmacists in the provision of this new service and reassures community pharmacists that the PDL Master Policy includes Professional Indemnity cover for members who provide this service in accordance with approved guidelines.
Pharmacy proprietors should confirm their indemnity status with their business insurer to ensure they cover this new service. Pharmacists with a current Guild Insurance Pharmacy Business Insurance Policy are encouraged to contact their account manager or call 1800 810 213 to obtain confirmation of policy coverage.
More information on this service can be found on the NT Health website.
For immediate advice and incident support, call PDL on 1300 854 838 to speak to one of our Professional Officers. We are here to support our pharmacist members 24/7, Australia-wide.
Insurance issued by Guild Insurance Limited ABN 55 004 538 863, AFS Licence No. 233791 and subject to terms, conditions and exclusions. Guild Insurance supports PDL through the payment of referral fees. This information is of a general nature only. Please refer to the policy wording and policy schedule for details. For more information, call PDL on 1300 854 838.
Article last updated 4 November 2024
