Normal procedure in other countries

The OF cites examples from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and Switzerland, where pharmacists address mild cases using defined protocols, and urges Portugal to adopt a structured approach.

When, last year, the Secretary of State for Health, Ana Povo, expressed openness to evaluating the treatment of mild clinical situations by pharmacists, the Portuguese Medical Association opposed this, rejecting the idea that pharmacies could prescribe medication without a doctor's intervention.

In statements to Lusa, the head of the OF, Helder Mora Filipe, explained that "it is not about prescribing or replacing doctors," but rather about "complying with protocols previously established between the various entities" so that in cases of simple clinical situations, patients do not have to overburden health centres or emergency rooms. Helder Mota Filipe said, "If other countries do this, Portugal should too."

In the note released, the OF reminds community pharmacists that they are qualified to intervene in cases of mild, non-serious, self-limiting, and short-term clinical situations whose symptoms "cannot be confused with those of other health problems."

Community pharmacists have been advocating for greater intervention in these cases, arguing that this would alleviate both the burden on primary healthcare services and emergency room visits for minor clinical situations.

The OF states that these professionals are “trained to assess symptoms, provide pharmaceutical advice and, when necessary, recommend over-the-counter medications.”

Furthermore, it adds, “they can perform simple tests to obtain more information about the patient's condition,” such as in cases of urinary tract infections.

“If the situation is more complex, the pharmacist refers the patient to a doctor or appropriate health unit,” it adds.

Monitoring with the Ministry of Health

The Association says it has been monitoring this issue with the Ministry of Health to define and implement management protocols for community pharmacists to apply in these situations, as part of a “comprehensive strategy involving the Medical Association.”

It reaffirms its “total availability” to collaborate in the construction and implementation of this model, in coordination with the competent entities, particularly in the creation of “intervention protocols, definition of referral circuits,” and also in strengthening communication between health professionals.

In this regard, it recalls that the Assembly of the Republic approved in January of last year a draft resolution recommending that the Government create a pilot project in this area, in coordination with the Directorate-General of Health, the Executive Directorate of the National Health Service, professional bodies, representative organisations of health professionals (pharmacists and doctors) and community pharmacies.

According to the approved recommendation, the pilot project should allow community pharmacies to provide, according to specific and pre-determined clinical protocols, care for mild and non-urgent clinical situations, such as urinary tract infections, sinusitis, sore throats or otitis media, prescribing the appropriate treatment or referring, when justified, to primary health care.