Medicines for people with a life-limiting illness have been made available to over 30 pharmacies across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
The network of 30 community pharmacies as well as 24/7 pharmacies will allow people to receive core palliative care medicines, an initiative set up by the South Australian Government.
Announced in February this year, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has supported this network, who can now stock these medicines making them available around the clock for patients.
This is crucial for patients who in the past have struggled to find certain medicines at community pharmacies, as they have a short expiry date. The network pharmacies will provide crucial support, information and advice to palliative care patients, their families and carers, and other health professionals.
The Palliative Care Medicines Pharmacies Network is also on board to better support patients and their carers.
SA’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton acknowledged the difficult time palliative care can be for the person going through it and their families and carers.
“We are making it easier for South Australians in palliative care to access medication to alleviate pain and stress, and to maintain the best quality of life and comfort they can while in their home surroundings,” Minister Picton said.
“This will mean they won’t have to visit a hospital’s emergency department to get access to the medication.
“The 30 community pharmacies in the state will improve end of life care for all South Australians.”
For more information, including a list of participating community pharmacies, click here.
