Specially trained mental health pharmacists at Metro South Health (MSH) are now able to prescribe medications in partnership with doctors and nurse practitioners, under a new model designed to improve patient safety and support faster, more efficient care.
The Collaborative Pharmacist Medication Prescribing (CPMP) model was introduced in MSH in late 2025 and is being progressively rolled out across the health service.
“From November, Logan mental health pharmacists have undergone training to become authorised pharmacist prescribers,” said Pharmacist Team Leader Greg Spann.
“They are now prescribing in collaboration with medical treating teams at Logan Hospital focusing on transitions of care (admissions and discharges) which are well known sources of potential medication errors.”
Legislative changes introduced in Queensland in April 2025 enable pharmacists working in hospital settings to undertake collaborative prescribing following completion of local training and authorisation.
Pharmacists who participate in CPMP in MSH must complete a training program, followed by supervised practice with doctors or nurse practitioners at their local facility.
“The pharmacy team is working with the University of Queensland to evaluate outcomes as this is the first implementation of CPMP in mental health in Queensland, and the first research into pharmacist prescribing in mental health in Australia,” said Greg.
The program is already gaining momentum across the health service.
At Logan Hospital, 17 pharmacists have completed the training and have already supported the care of more than 1000 patients.
Greg said feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The initial experience has been very positive for both pharmacists and doctors at Logan Hospital mental health.
“One of our psychiatry registrars recently commented, ‘Every time someone says they can CPMP, I think, where was this when I was an intern?’”