Are the Regulatory Frameworks for Pharmacy Practice in Australia by Customers - Assignment Example

Are the regulatory frameworks for pharmacy practice in Australia strong enough to prevent the abuse of drugs by customers? What are the loopholes and how can regulations be improved? Many countries all over the world have come to a point where they set and improve many rules and legalization to prevent the continuous licit drug consumption. Consequently, there has been a considerable growth in pharmacy policies in term of ‘controlling drug abuse’ in Australia. Therefore, Australian pharmacy law defines out the circumstances and situations prohibited for pharmacist, it prescribes the requirement for pharmacist regarding health care team partnering, business management, service provision and pharmaceutical registration (Low, Hattingh & Forrester, 2004, p. 2). According to Volkow (2005, p. 1) the consumption of medication due to experience or feeling elicited without a prescription from someone who have the right to describe medication such as physician, may be defined as drug abuse. These drugs can be harmful to humans if the addicts use them. This essay will explain that although Australian drug policy is quite strong in preventing drug abuse, there are several loopholes in regulations of pharmacy practices such as lack of patient-drug history in prescription and prescription shopping. It will then highlight these loopholes which weaken effectiveness of pharmacy regulator. It will also argue that there are a number of crucial ways to improve pharmacy regulations and positively tighten the loopholes such as Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) and Dose Administration Aid (DAA). Finally, it will show the implications and evaluations for these solutions. In spite of the strategies and organization that the Australian government has done for pharmacy regulatory framework, the situations to control drug misuse by consumer have progressed gradually. Volkow (2005, p. 2) describes that there are many medications which can be abused such as: i. Aphids normally used to relive pain. ii. Central nervous system (CNS) medications which are prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia. iii. Stimulant medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Low, Hattingh and Forrester (2009, p. 9) states that the policies and guidelines, which refer to Australian health law, are gradually starting to regulate pharmacy practice in Australia. Some of these policies are derived from common and criminal law which are used to set fees and charges as well as a diversity of essential information to assist on the daily implementation. In addition, the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) being "the principle policy approach to drug use and problems in Australia since 1985" has sought to diminish the harmful impact of drugs on Australian society, using a number of strategies which have established to control pharmacy policy framework (Drug use in Australia, 2004, p. 137). Still, according to drug policy and result (2008, p. 5) Australia implemented a vigilant drug control policy regarding growths in drug abuse in the 1990’s. This strategy clearly shows that, drug control has developed significantly in recent years. Also, Australia has made commendable efforts in policy-making-knowledge-progress. As explained by Halstead, (2012, p. 1), in 2010, The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law South Australia Act began operating. This was after going through committee of Australian government deliberation. The act did exclude the premises approval and pharmacy ownership functions. These functions were later taken up by the PRASA (Pharmacy Regulation of South Australia) approved by the South Australia government as were found to be vital elements. PRASA was later succeeded by the pharmacy Board of South Australia (PBSA). PBSA did execute duties and responsibilities previously carried by the PRASA. Such functions included ancillary staff training approval, competency, disciplines, complaint handling, professional training and individual pharmacist registration. Today, both PRASA and PBSA are in full operation with PRASA mandated with executing all functions. From these findings, it is clear that there are rules and regulation governing the pharmaceutical operations in Australia to protect the customer. However, presence or absence of laws like in any other nation cannot be used to mean effective or ineffective practice. The fact that there is evident non-medical drug abuse indicates that the pharmacy practice regulation framework in Australia is not strong enough to prevent drug abuse by customers. To begin with, one of the serious loopholes facing pharmacy regulatory in preventing drug abuse is lack of patient-drug history in prescription. Besides, having information written by physicians in prescription of purely new medication, does not serve the pharmacist with enough information about client’s drug history. Hamilton et al,. (2004, p. 50) emphasizes that drugs prescribed without completing a medication history or prescribing two or more drugs in one prescription; may lead to drug misuse. Moreover, the interaction between two medications can be termed as pharmaceutical misuse as can result to side effects. For example, benzodiazepine medication was observed by Melbourne ambulance attendances have the frequency consume in 2000; there are many adverse effects which can result from benzodiazepines repeated use or if it is given with other medication. In short, without provision of complete prescription details or attached medication history, customer can enter into drug abuse sometimes unknowingly. There are a number of solutions which can be used to combat previous loophole. Firstly, Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) is a data system, which is used to record each dispensing prescription detail of defined drugs also known as Coordinated Medication Management Systems (CMMS) (Nicholas, lee, & Roche, A. 2011, p. 133) in line with Volkow (2005, p. 2) who also notes that PDMPs which is a database system connect with each organization of health care in order for the physicians and pharmacists to record each prescribed medication into their specific database. In addition, it can identify a patient who is receiving medication from different sources. These kinds of databases are either in a paper base or electronic data monitoring process. Furthermore, Halstead (2012, p. 12) recommends Dose Administration Aid (DAA); a device used to manage patient medication dosage form especially when more than one medication given to the patient to avoid contraindications. This gadget is gathered from the pharmacy after preparing doses and packed for the customer. Therefore, there are various solutions which can be put in place to avoid prescription loopholes. There are challenges arising from the previously stated solutions. Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) may not supply immediate access to database which help pharmacist or prescriber to thoroughly scrutinize customer’s medication history Nicholas et al., (2011, p. 135). Moreover, this kind of programs is quite expensive in electronic data spreadsheets entry from prescriptions copies. Dose Administration Aid (DAA) on the other hand needs suitable storage area and the set dosage inside can be altered by any form of contaminations (Halstead, 2012, p. 12). Furthermore, it consumes pharmacist time, because dosage preparation usually takes long time to put and regulate it inside the monitor. Consequently, the pointed negative implications on the proposed solutions on this loophole could indicate the need for an alternative solution inquest. However, despite the previous implications, these solutions might be considered the most effective one to eliminate prescriptions mistakes which can be a way to medications misuse. Nicholas et al., (2011, p. 134) argue that, Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) could provide a previous list of medications that was taken by the patient. Regarding this action, pharmacist or doctor can have a background about medications history although takes a long time to identify. Halstead (2012, p. 12) details Dose Administration Aid (DAA) are considered valuable technique to eradicate medication interactions and adverse effect. As a result, these assortments of programs and devices can have radical solutions to diminish loopholes which result from prescriptions. Medication shopping or “Prescription shopping” is another loophole which contributes to abuse of drugs. For example several people have sought to be prescription shoppers and without being ill visit more than one doctor to obtain medications from six or more different prescriber in any three month period for non-medical objective. Nicholas et al., (2011, p. 124) reports that many people claim to suffer from a particular disease in order to get the drug. Therefore, individuals move from clinic to another to collect the prescription so as to obtain legal medications. On contrarily, these medications are used for illegal achievements. For instance, in one case study MedicareAustralia estimated more than 20000 prescription shoppers during three month period (Monheit, 2010, p. 542). In addition, the Australian Medicare pointed that those who arrive after the regular hours to medical organization to obtain prescription might be considered suspects of prescription shopping. In brief, various persuasive stories are used by patient and can compromise the reality from doctor to own medication. There are some solutions to tighten the loophole of the prescription shopping. Nicholas et al., (2011, p. 127) asserts that, identifying a program that can interconnect all health organization to distinguish who are gaining pharmaceuticals in surplus of medical requirement in line with Moniheit (2010, p. 541) who also find that Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is advisable as can recognise any one frequently dispensing medications. Medicare Australia Prescription Shopping Program being an obvious example. This program can detect patient who have supplied by a six pharmaceutical items during any three month period. Thus, it can be restricted of consuming medication by customer in frame of drug abuse. A number of implications could be faced the previous programs solutions for the loophole of the medication shopping, because this databases merely obtain information about patient who only register with these programs with same organisation ( Nicholas et al., 2011, p. 128). Therefore, data take long time to reach to the doctor who in turn calls the pharmaceutical organizations to check about prescription shopping. In addition, this system cannot perceive medication preparations such as codeine preparations. However, if these programs are rejected, the loophole will probably become worse and it may lead to drug abuse. On the contrary, PBs program have a number of limitations which might not represent radical solutions, because of deficiency of integration without providing a focal point for joined up thinking between organizations. Additionally, information transitions to this system may take long time due to the vast number prescriptions received daily by pharmacist (Nicholas et al., 2011, p. 128). It is therefore clear that need for a number for staff to deal with huge prescriptions. To conclude, pharmaceutical framework regulations in Australia should review its strategy of dealing with drugs. This is because there are many loopholes allowing opening of non-medical drugs to the public without careful administration such as a lack of patient-drug history and prescription shopping. Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs), Dose Administration Aid (DAA) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) programs can help lower rates of prescription shopping and drug history for the patient. However, despite their merits to safeguard the population from drug abuse and misuse their practicability is a challenge. This is because they are slow to use them and coordination between the pharmaceuticals and physician. They are also expensive to install, promote and maintain. Therefore, further research and recommendation of the best programs and structure to safeguard the public from licit drug misuse is vital. To this regard, this research recommends the following proposals: In addition to program implementation, there is need to reinforce the law through ensuring there is exemplary advanced-focused-professionals in the field and uphold fines as per the law for both the client and the pharmaceutical attendant. Government should embrace and implement policies that allow for patient education, health professional support and income sources should be embraced to lower the number of those affected by licit drug effects. This will in turn lower the rate of medication misuse in Australia. Bibliography Chaar, B. B., & Lee, J. (2012). Role of socioeconomic status on consumers' attitudes towards DTCA of prescription medicines in Australia. Journal of Business Ethics, 105(4), 447-460. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0977-8 Drug policy and results in Australia. (2008). New York: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Halstead P. (2012). Guidelines for operation of pharmacy premises by pharmacy service providers: Pharmacy Regulation AutShority SA Hamilton, M., King, T., & Ritter, A (2004). Drug use in Australia: Preventing harm. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press. Loxley W., Toumbourou J.M., Stockwell T., Haines B., Scott K., Godfrey C. et al., (2004). The prevention of substance use, risk and harm in Australia: A Review of the Evidence: Commonwealth of Australia Monheit, B. (2010). Prescription drug misuse. Australian Family Physician, 39(8), 540-6. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/742403756?accountid=10382 Volkow, N. D. (2005). Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Low J., Hattingh L. & Forrester K. (2004). Australian Pharmacy Law And Practice, Elsevier Health science: Sidney Vatjanapukka, V., & Waryszak, R. (2004). Relationship between consumer knowledge, Prescription drug advertising exposure and attitudes towards direct-to-consumer Prescription drug advertising. International Journal of Medical Marketing, 4(4), 350- 360. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/232066043?accountid=10382 Read More