News The powerful lobby group has again called for expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice following a new report that predicts a major GP workforce shortfall by 2030. RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon believes allowing pharmacists to treat serious diseases like asthma is a recipe for disaster. The Deloitte Access report , commissioned by general practice medical centre chain Cornerstone Health, forecasts a 37.5% increase in the demand for general practice services by 2030 that it says will contribute to a shortfall of 9298 full-time GPs, or 24.7% of the GP workforce. Pharmacy Guild National President George Tambassis seized on the findings to claim that ‘empowering pharmacists’ to take on a greater role in Australia’s healthcare system is needed to ‘relieve’ pressure on GPs. ‘Deloitte’s report underlines why we need to make better use of pharmacists to help relieve some of the stresses and strains on our health system just […]