One in five hurt in prescription errors as safety row over pharmacist powers
One in five people hurt in prescription incidents suffer serious injury. Analysis of 16,000 claims shows this.
Australia's largest medical indemnity insurer Avant analysed 16,000 claims against doctors over five years. One in five people hurt in prescription-related incidents suffered serious injury.
Avant now calls for a halt to expanding pharmacist prescribing powers. First, a national safety framework must be in place.
Avant's chief medical officer Steve Robson said: "Once we've done it, we can't undo it. We need guardrails before we go further."
NSW plans to let pharmacists prescribe for chronic conditions like high blood pressure. Victoria now allows pharmacists to refill menopause hormone therapy.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says Avant's data is based on doctors' prescribing. It reflects a turf war, not evidence.
Doctors' groups point to cases where pharmacists missed cancer, pancreatitis and chlamydia diagnoses.
- 16,000 over five years
- Claims analysed
- One in five
- Serious injury rate
- 81 per cent
- Section 4 drugs in claims
- 36 per cent
- Opioids in claims
Why it mattersPrescription mistakes can cause serious harm. Safety guardrails must be in place before expanding who can prescribe.
AustraliaAustralian pharmacies are rolling out new prescribing powers for chronic conditions and menopause therapy. Safety standards will affect what services Australians can access.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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