Legislative Council, Wednesday 22 September 2021

Ms FORREST QUESTION to DEPUTY LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms PALMER -

(1) Prior to the election, the then health minister, Sarah Courtney, released a statement to enable pharmacist immunisers access to NIP vaccines and to undertake a scope of practice review for pharmacists.

(a) What is the proposed timeline for this review?

(b) What stage is the review at?

(2) Regarding access to NIP vaccines, I note that this is important for the timing of vaccine orders and access, as evidenced by the role of pharmacists and pharmacies that they have played in delivering COVID-19 vaccinations. The question related to that is, when will access to NIP vaccines to pharmacies be progressed?

ANSWER

I thank the honourable member for the question. The Department of Health is preparing a response in relation to this question, noting that the question was only received yesterday at lunch time. Initial advice is that the Government is honouring the election commitment in relation to NIP. We will get some information to you as soon as possible in relation to the review that was references in your question.