The agreement signed last week by Federfarma Lombardia and the Councilor for Social Solidarity of Pirellone, Giulio Boscagli, according to which pharmacies will have to set up a "functional and operational center" within them where patients can go to receive information and submitting an application for access to the ADI, makes the doctors discuss. Even if the agreement does not mention it, it is likely that the operation should be read in conjunction with the development of the Creg project, the territorial drg with which the local health authorities will finance assistance to the chronic from this year. In fact, with Creg, healthcare companies will buy predefined packages of services in a scenario that could soon see private individuals, hospitals and general practitioners competing against each other. And perhaps also the pharmacies, to which the agreement with the Region in any case entrusts the task of guiding the patient in the variegated arena that will emerge. A near future that makes the president of Snami Lombardia, Roberto Carlo Rossi, indignant: «This agreement is a shame, just like the Creg project. As I already said when Legislative Decree 153/2009 on new services in the pharmacy was approved, the pharmacist has no right to do Adi, health education or first instance analysis. If the Region advocates a model that upsets skills and profiles, I take note of it and I will act accordingly. Let's do Utap in pharmacies and goodbye to rules ». The comment by Fiorenzo Corti, regional secretary of Fimmg Lombardia, is more diplomatic: «The agreement has no connection with the Creg project. So there is no objection to the possibility that pharmacies offer home care services, families will then choose who to rely on. The important thing is that none of these services invade skills that pertain to the medical profession".
Anisap, yes a service pharmacy but respect the standards
Will the same safety and quality requirements be guaranteed within the pharmacies that all outpatient clinics already present in the area must comply with today? This is the question that Anisap Lombardia, the Federation of Private Outpatient Health Institutions, asks in an article that appeared in the Sole 24 Ore, convinced of the need for equal rules for all operators. Doubts abound. The analysis begins with the logistical aspects given that the sampling points must have a dedicated waiting area, toilets for the disabled, spaces for the collection of samples for exclusive use. Then the article goes on to consider the anti-seismic, fire prevention, acoustic protection standards and the instruments supplied as well as the aspects of patient information, all guaranteed in a timely manner by the laboratory doctors. The Federation's analysis then underlines the need to provide for the constant presence of a doctor and a nurse, responsible for the correct performance of the clinical activity, but also for adequate training and refresher courses for the staff. Finally, the economic factor: what is the budget foreseen for pharmacies? And with what funds will it be established? Doubts, as is evident from the article, are not lacking. (MM)
Pharmacist33 – 27 January 2011
Roberto Carlo Rossi, president of Snami Lombardia
