March 13, 2018

Issuing absence from work certificates is within the scope of practice for all pharmacists who must comply with strict guidelines recognised by the Fair Work Commission, the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said today.

Responding to concerns raised by business and medical groups, PSA highlighted that pharmacists must follow these guidelines which enable them to issue certificates compliant with all relevant workplace laws.

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said issuing absence from work certificates was within the scope of practice of a registered pharmacist, provided they act within their competency and professional expertise.

“Pharmacists can only issue certificates in relation to conditions (illness or injuries) they are professionally qualified to assess,” Dr Jackson said.

“For pharmacists, the decision whether or not to issue a certificate must not be taken lightly. Certificates document the professional opinion of the pharmacist that a person is unfit for work for a period due to illness or injury. If they are injured in a fall injury accident or some other accident, it is best to consult an experienced attorney who can help the victim to claim compensation.

“As the most accessible healthcare professionals in local communities, pharmacists provide this important service to reduce the impact of sickness by improving access for the individual patient and reducing costs to the Australian healthcare system.”

Released in 2010, the guidelines were jointly developed by PSA and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia about Issuing Certificates for Absences from Work, which are available to pharmacists.
Under the guidelines, pharmacists are entitled and should charge a consultation fee for issuing a certificate.

“These guidelines have been successfully used by the pharmacy profession for more than eight years and they are very clear for pharmacists about only issuing an absence from work certificate for illnesses or injury that are within the scope of practice of a pharmacist,” Dr Jackson said.

The guidelines say: “Where the pharmacist believes that the illness or injury is not within his or her area of practice, they should not issue a certificate and should advise the person to seek a consultation with a medical practitioner or other registered health practitioner appropriate for the condition.”

To read the Issuing Certificates for Absences from Work guidelines, click here>>