AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen this week described ambulance ramping as a "whole-of-system problem" and called for greater investment in prevention, early intervention and community-based care to ensure people with minor to moderate illnesses can access treatment before requiring hospitalisation or emergency care.
The AMA said this year's report paints a stark picture: in 2024 to 2025, more patients than ever required ambulance services, with more than 2.4 million people arriving at emergency departments by ambulance, and ambulance callout incidents reaching a record high.
PGA National President Professor Trent Twomey said community pharmacists are well placed to be part of the solution.
Recent independent modelling by HTANALYSTS found that nationally consistent pharmacist prescribing could free up more than 10 million GP appointments every year, prevent around 30,000 hospital admissions annually.
"The AMA is right to highlight the growing pressures facing Australia's health system and the need for stronger investment in prevention, early intervention and accessible community-based care," Professor Twomey said.
"The question now is how we deliver that care at scale and make better use of Australia's healthcare workforce."
"Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country and are already safely and effectively delivering prescribing services in jurisdictions including Queensland and the Northern Territory through additional training, clinical protocols and appropriate referral pathways."
Improved access
Professor Twomey said evidence continues to demonstrate that pharmacist-led care can improve access while reducing pressure elsewhere in the health system.
"Recent independent modelling by HTANALYSTS found that nationally consistent pharmacist prescribing could free up more than 10 million GP appointments every year, prevent around 30,000 hospital admissions annually."
"Those findings reinforce the AMA's call for improved access to care for people with minor and moderate health conditions before they require an emergency department presentation, ambulance call-out or hospital admission."
Professor Twomey said patients should not miss out on timely treatment or face inconsistent healthcare arrangements between states and territories.
He said people in Australia should not have to wait weeks for treatment of common health conditions "when a clinically appropriate, evidence-based alternative already exists".
"Healthcare should not depend on your postcode," he said.
"Patients in Queensland and the Northern Territory already benefit from pharmacy-led prescribing services, and Australians elsewhere deserve the same access to timely care."
Nationally consistent
"A nationally consistent approach to pharmacist prescribing would help patients get care sooner, free up GP capacity to focus on more complex cases and reduce avoidable pressure on hospitals and emergency departments."
"If we are serious about prevention, early intervention and keeping people out of hospital, we need to make it easier for patients to access care in their local community pharmacy."
Professor Twomey said there is no single solution to the challenges facing Australia's healthcare system, but better utilisation of community pharmacy must be part of the answer.
"Community pharmacy is Australia's most accessible frontline healthcare network, with more than 6,000 pharmacies providing care in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities."
He said expanding access to pharmacy-led care would help people in Australia receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
