To the Editor: I support reform for providing anticipatory palliative care medication under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) arrangements, as identified by O'Connor et al.1 There is merit in providing emergency and anticipatory medications under PBS prescriber bag supply arrangements to community-based palliative care.
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- 1. O'Connor M, Gatens S, Le BH. The hidden issues of anticipatory medications in community palliative care [letter]. Med J Aust 2014; 200: 578-580. <MJA full text>
- 2. Joyce C, Piterman L. Trends in GP home visits. Aust Fam Physician 2008; 37: 1039-1042.
- 3. Magin PJ, Adams J, Sibbritt DW, et al. Effects of occupational violence on Australian general practitioners' provision of home visits and after-hours care: a cross-sectional study. J Eval Clin Pract 2008; 14: 336-342.
- 4. Department of Health. Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits. Effective 1 June 2014 – 30 June 2014. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2014. http://www.pbs.gov.au/publication/schedule/2014/06/2014-06-01-general-schedule.pdf (accessed Aug 2014).
- 5. Holmes JL. Time to restock the doctor's bag. Aust Prescr 2012; 35: 7-9. http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/35/1/7/9 (accessed Aug 2014).
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Margaret O'Connor is my sister-in-law. She retired in June 2014 and gains no benefit from my endorsement of her letter to the Journal.1