Clozapine GP collaboration

Pharmacists and GPs are collaborating to address concerns around Medsafe’s proposal to widen prescriber access to the antipsychotic drug clozapine.

“This is a good example of the two organisations working together on an issue of patient safety and improved care and access to medicines,” Harry Pert, president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, says.

In March, Medsafe asked for submissions on its proposal to widen prescriber access to clozapine so GPs could prescribe the drug as well as psychiatrists. A total of 37 submissions were received, including one from the Pharmaceutical Society and one from the RNZCGP.

The society’s submission highlighted community pharmacist concerns around prescribing errors and the burden that may be placed on them.

However, in one of the first examples of the society and RNZCGP working together in light of their recent memorandum of understanding, both parties are working to address the issues.

Dr Pert says the RNZCGP and society are working together to produce a vocational training package for GPs, similar to the package put together when prescriber access to acne drug isotretinoin was widened.

Elizabeth Plant, president of the society, acknowledges the risks involved if prescribing errors occur with a drug such as clozapine, but says prescribing systems is an area the society and RNZCGP are coordinating closely on.

“We are making sure all concerns are addressed in the training package.”

Mrs Plant can recall when clozapine went from hospital to community pharmacy.

 

“Community pharmacy

rose to the occasion, we developed training packages and it’s proven to be a great success. I can’t see why we can’t do that for GPs.”

Dr Pert says widening prescriber access will encourage people back into general practice, where other health concerns can be looked at.

“Many people don’t have single problems. They have other health needs and often a silo treatment means that a more holistic approach is harder to achieve.” RN

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