Austrian pharmacies will expand their health offering for people. This is made possible by the amendment to the Pharmacy Act that was adopted in the plenary session of the National Council at the end of February. krone.tv presenter Larissa Putz and Priv.-Doz know what this means for you and what benefits it brings for you and the healthcare system. GDR. Phillipp Saiko, Member of the Executive Committee of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists.
In the future, modern and innovative health tests such as blood sugar and cholesterol measurements or analyzes of micronutrients such as vitamin D will be offered. There are also vaccination titer analyzes to check whether there are sufficient antibodies, as well as on-site detection of infectious diseases such as influenza, RSV or COVID-19. For people who have to take multiple medications, there is now also the option of a medication analysis. This allows unwanted interactions to be identified and therapy to be adjusted together with the doctor.
This offensive will increase new health offers in the field of prevention and early detection, as well as the quality of care and the quality of life of the population. The foundations for the implementation of this future offering are gradually being laid in the 1,450 pharmacies.
Probation during pandemic
The background to the new legal basis is the remarkable performance of pharmacists during the corona pandemic, especially due to the rapid establishment of a standardized testing infrastructure and the professional implementation of corona tests. This accessible, high-quality test offering was greatly appreciated by people; the structures have been established and are now integrally anchored in law.
The employees of the pharmacies that will offer blood and urine tests in the future would not make diagnoses, but collect parameters and forward them to a doctor if necessary.
Flexible opening hours, more locations
In addition to expanding the range of services, the change makes it possible to voluntarily adjust opening hours to people’s regional supply needs. Pharmacies are now allowed to open between 6am and 9pm on weekdays and between 6am and 6pm on Saturdays. In addition, a maximum of three locations can be operated per pharmacy and so-called outsourced dispensing points can be set up, for example in communities without a pharmacy. The change now also makes it possible for pharmacies to supply patients with reduced mobility.
On hold: vaccination at the pharmacy
The new pharmacy law does not yet contain the legal basis for carrying out certain booster vaccinations, such as TBE or influenza in the pharmacy, to increase the alarmingly low vaccination rate in Austria. The number of countries with a vaccination permit for pharmacists is rapidly increasing. It appears that the vaccination rate increases significantly through vaccination in the pharmacy.
More than 2,000 pharmacists in Austria have already completed the required vaccination training at the highest international level and are ready.
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Source: Krone
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