Qld hospital doctors can now write PBS scripts for discharge patients
A new arrangement between the Queensland and Commonwealth Health Ministers means that progressively doctors in Queensland public hospitals will be able to write PBS prescriptions for discharge patients, chemotherapy day-admitted patients and public outpatients.
Previously Queensland Health met the costs of these medicines, but now the Commonwealth government will reimburse pharmacies dispensing these prescriptions for costs over and above the patient co-payments.
The released funding will be channelled into improving quality use of medicines in the continuity of care between hospital and home.
A major component of this is improved communication from the hospital to community prescribers about changes in medication that occur during a patient’s hospital admission.
