ZEST insights

The AMA has warned that the new WorkChoices legislation allowing any registered health practitioner - including pharmacists, naturopaths and iridologists - to issue sick leave certificates could put lives at risk. “I might present to the pharmacist having needed to take the day off work because I have headache … I might get my certificate for two days but in fact I’ve got meningococcus and I am dead within that 48-hour period because I haven’t seen a doctor,” suggests AMA president Dr Rosanna Capolingua.

Well, that may be true. But it’s fair to say that there are enough reports of GPs (and doctors working in Emergency Departments, for that matter) having not picked up meningococcus in patients with headache that it’s probably not the best example to use to fight this issue. GPs may have genuine concerns about the consequences of pharmacist-issued medical certificates, but it also seems as though a bit of a turf war is going on. It’s not difficult to understand GPs feeling threatened that their role is being usurped with changes like this and that their skills are being undervalued by society. But pharmacists can be GPs’ most valuable allies if they work in partnership rather than in competition – each day, pharmacists refer patients to their GP if there’s anything that indicates the need for further medical attention. This isn’t likely to change with this new legislation.  

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and Pharmacy Guild have produced joint guidelines on how to issue medical certificates. According to these, pharmacists should not issue certificates for a period of more than two days and can only issue certificates within the scope of their professional expertise. As Pharmacy Guild president Kos Sclavos explained, most certificates would likely relate to cold and flu. Other conditions could include psoriasis or head lice.