The AMA is calling for 18 medicines to be added to the PBS Prescriber Bag, including MS-2 Step, PEP and six common antibiotics.
The doctor’s bag needs a refresh after years of “ad hoc” additions, the AMA has said in a submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Certain medications on the PBS can be provided free to prescribers, who can then supply them to patients for emergency use.
Medications included in this “PBS prescriber bag”, also known as the doctor’s bag, include adrenaline, some antibiotics, morphine, naloxone, clonazepam and salbutamol, among others.
In its submission to the review of the doctor’s bag, which closed earlier this month, the AMA has said it was already in discussion with the federal health minister over required updates, as all recent changes had been made “ad hoc”.
“There are a range of conditions and emergency scenarios where appropriate medications are not currently included, for example common antibiotics, and MS-2 Step for patients who have no other access to safe and appropriate pregnancy termination services,” said the AMA.
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The association recommended that all current medication remain in the bag, but called for the following additions:
- Antibiotics
- Amoxicillin—includingoralliquidforpaediatricuse
- Cefalexin
- Trimethoprim
- Doxycycline
- Azithromycin
- Ceftriaxone
- Antivirals
- Valaciclovir
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — tenofovir/emtricitabine
- Anti-emetic
- Ondansetron
- Gynaecology
- Mifepristone and misoprostol (MS-2 Step)
- Levonorgestrel or ullipristal emergency contraception
- Ear drops
- Framycetinsulfate 0.5% + gramicidin 0.005% + dexamethasone 0.05% eardrops
- Cardiovascular
- Amlodipine
- Amiodarone
- Antipsychotic
- Olanzapine
- Respiratory
- Ipratropium
- Prednisone—includingoralliquidforpaediatricuse
- Muskuloskeletal
- Intraarticularsteroid—KenacortA10
The AMA said recommendations had been made on the basis of clinical effectiveness, application in an emergency setting and ability to reduce hospital presentations.
It also considered the availability of the medication elsewhere in the health system.
However, regular review of the bag’s contents would be vital going forward, said the AMA.
“The doctor’s bag is an invaluable resource for GPs in caring for patients and its potential role in improving access to care and patient outcomes could receive greater attention as a policy tool,” said the association.
“Expanding prescriber bag contents is a practical approach to deliver immediate benefits for patients in a safe and cost-effective way.”
The AMA said expanding the bag also aligned with the federal government’s plans to improve access to urgent care through medical practitioners, and with the aims of the national medicines policy to allow “equitable, timely, safe and affordable access to a high quality and reliable supply of medicines-related services for all Australians”.
