‘Concerns’ expanding the role of pharmacists could lead to ‘increase’ in antibiotic use

RACGP President Doctor Nicole Higgins takes issue with pharmacists possibly being allowed to treat conditions normally left to a GP, worrying it will lead to an increase in antibiotic use. General Practitioners have raised concerns over a plan to expand the role of pharmacists in New South Wales which allows them to treat a range of conditions that would normally require a doctor’s opinion. “Our concern is more around that at a time when we’re trying to reduce the amount of antibiotics in the world – it’s one of the biggest health threats – we’re actually going to be increasing the prescribing and the use of those types of medicines,” Dr Higgins told Sky News Australia.