Beware the risk of ‘script-owing’ requests

GPs have hit back at allegations from pharmacists that they are inappropriately selling flu vaccinations provided free by state governments.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia claims it has received more than 100 complaints from members alleging that GPs are dipping into flu vaccine stock that is quarantined for vaccinating at-risk patients.

The allegations emerged after pharmacists contacted patients on their vaccine waiting lists, only to be told GPs sold them vaccines after the patient returned to the clinic empty-handed.

“[Practice staff] are reporting that “Yes, we are using that supply temporarily and we will reimburse that supply”,” guild president Kos Sclavos said. “That supply has been earmarked for at-risk people... vaccines should not be dispensed [from] that.”

RACGP president Dr Chris Mitchell was unaware of any such activities. He added that pharmacists were still sore from the Government decision to allow GPs to hold their own
vaccine supply.

“I think that it would be fair to say that many of the pharmacy associations were disappointed with the Federal Government decision to roll out the flu vacc-ine for high-risk groups through general practice.”

The guild claims at least three pharmacists have signed statutory declarations against GPs for misuse of the vaccine.