Can a podiatrist prescribe medicines?
Zahava Robinson is an endorsed podiatrist which means that she can prescribe scheduled medicines if required for podiatric conditions. Most podiatrists do not have an endorsement for scheduled medicines, but podiatrists with this endorsement are able to prescribe medicines when indicated.
What is an endorsement for scheduled medicines for podiatrists?
A podiatrist with an endorsement of scheduled medicines identifies practitioners with additional qualifications and expertise which gives them an extended scope of practice.
The endorsement for scheduled medicines as a podiatrist means you are qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply, or use Schedule 2, 3, 4, or 8 medicines for the treatment of podiatric conditions.
This endorsement was an almost 2-year process involving further pharmacology study, many hours consulting with patients with their medical doctors from varying specialties and endorsed podiatric surgeons, hours writing up complex clinical case studies (each between approximately 10-30 pages long), many reflective pieces, and a portfolio of evidence submission at least 350 pages long.
This increased scope will allow Zahava to help her patients with more holistic treatment by being able to provide a prescription when required.
It is important to note that medicines prescribed by endorsed podiatrists are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and consultation and communication with the patient's General Practioner is often required.
How are medicines relevant when seeing a podiatrist?
Endorsement for scheduled medicines means that patients can have another mechanism of treatment to help manage conditions we see in our clinic on a daily basis.
Some examples of where medicines are relevant in podiatry:
Antibiotic therapy for ingrown toenails
Antibiotic therapy for a skin infection or ulceration
Corticosteroid injection (cortisone) or oral anti-inflammatory medicines for an injury
Colchicine for an acute case of gout
Oral or topical antifungals for fungal nail and skin infections
It is important to note that patients require individual assessment and that medicines are only prescribed when it is safe to do so and prescriptions are communicated with the patient’s primary prescriber (usually a general practitioner).
We treat feet from all over Sydney, particularly the Eastern Suburbs. As podiatrists in Bondi Junction, we are happy to treat anyone that comes to our Sydney clinic. Our local area includes Bondi Junction, Bondi, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Rose Bay, Tamarama, Coogee, Randwick, Bellevue Hill, Dover Heights, Vaucluse, and Edgecliff.
