Doctors have slammed a move allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics and refill certain prescriptions under a Victorian Labor election promise, over fears it could increase antibiotic resistance and put patients' health at risk.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced a $19 million, 12-month pilot project from the middle of 2023 to expand the role of community pharmacists to treat minor health conditions such as urinary tract infections.
Australian Medical Association Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen described it as a "slap in the face" to general practitioners, saying antibiotic resistance was one of the biggest health threats facing the world so she did not support any program which increased prescribing.
"It does put antimicrobial resistance at risk, it puts women on the pill at risk ," Dr McMullen told AAP.
She said common conditions like migraines and even smoking can impact the safety of the pill so it was vital women saw a GP for a refill every one or two years.
"Prescribing medication is more than just clicking 'print', for every prescription that we write it really is a consideration of that person's whole health care picture."
Allowing pharmacists to prescribe medication was "a step in the wrong direction," according to Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Adjunct Professor Karen Price.
She said a similar trial in Queensland resulted in a pharmacist giving a patient in their 50's antibiotics for a presumed UTI, however they actually had a 15 centimetre mass in their pelvis.
"Overseas in the United Kingdom the British pharmacists' own defence union warned of incidents of unsafe practice that have emerged with the rise of independent pharmacist prescribers," Adj. Prof Price said.
Under the pilot, the government would pay pharmacists $20 per consultation and patients would pay no more than the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment for any medications required.
"Community pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge and experience. It just makes sense to expand their role," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday.
"It will ensure Victorians can get the timely care they need, while saving families money and taking the pressure off GPs."
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian branch president Anthony Tassone endorsed the pilot, appearing alongside Mr Andrews.
"Measures like this that enable pharmacists to do more in helping treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections with antibiotics, reissue prescriptions for oral contraceptives, go a long way to helping patients get the care they need," Mr Tassone said.
Mr Andrews also announced an incentivisation program to lure doctors into general practice, which the AMA and RACGP welcomed.
If re-elected, his government would spend $32 million offering financial incentives for doctors who enrol in the GP training program, including a $30,000 top-up payment for first-year trainees and $10,000 per trainee on the costs of their exams in their first year.
In the seat of Cranbourne, Liberal Leader Matthew Guy announced a coalition government would bring forward its $2 flat daily fare for public transport in metropolitan Melbourne by six months to January 1, if elected.
The Parliamentary Budget Office has costed the extra six months of the policy at $140 million, he added.
Mr Guy said debt would be significantly lower over forward estimates under a coalition government.
But voters will have to wait until Thursday to find out by how much, when he releases the coalition's policy costings.
"Don't be impatient," he told reporters at Merinda Park Station.
