The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has warned against pharmacists being allowed to prescribe HIV treatment, saying it could affect the income of medical practitioners, and that it “encroaches on the preserve of doctors.”
The controversial policy of pharmacist-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (Pimart) was approved by the SA Pharmacy Council in 2021 but is on hold after a legal challenge brought by the Independent Practitioners’ Association (IPA), which represents doctors, reports Business Day.
“Perhaps it is not politically palatable but it is a reality that I think must be confronted,” chair of the medical and dental board of the HPCSA, Arthur Rantloane, told delegates at the annual Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) conference on Tuesday.
The IPA said the policy “encroaches on the preserve of doctors”. Under Pimart, appropriately trained pharmacists were given the go-ahead to prescribe ARV therapy to people with HIV, to protect people from acquiring the virus, or as post-exposure prophylaxis.
While the High Court dismissed the IPA’s application to scrap the policy last August, it has been granted leave to appeal, effectively suspending the ruling.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has yet to set a date for the matter, said SA Pharmacy Council registrar Vincent Tlala, who added that the council believes there is a clear need for pharmacists to be allowed to prescribe ARV treatment.
If, for example, a patient sought the morning-after pill at a pharmacy, the pharmacist should be able to prescribe post-exposure prophylaxis immediately, along with the provision of an HIV test and counselling, he said.
Currently, the patient must obtain a prescription for post-exposure prophylaxis from a doctor.
Pharmacist and public health specialist Bronwyn Macauley said community pharmacists could help manage SA’s HIV epidemic.
“As healthcare professionals …we are able and want to do more,” she told delegates.
Not only did community pharmacists offer a safe and non-judgmental environment for patients, but they were more accessible than government clinics, being open after hours and on weekends.
BusinessLIVE article – Pharmacist-led ARV treatment ‘threatens doctors’ income’ (Restricted access)
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