Chemists handing out sick notes “like headache tablets”
The hardest part of chucking a sickie has always been producing a medical certificate on your return to work. But a new report suggests many Aussie workers have found a way around this, getting their sick notes from the pharmacist instead of the doctor, where medical certificates are being, “handed out like headache tablets”.
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, ‘absence from work’ forms are widely available at national pharmacy chains, to the point where many outlets actively advertise the service.
News.com.au reports that it’s gotten to the point where a Chemist Warehouse brand in Sydney’s CBD was advertising sick notes for just $20, saying, “Our pharmacist can issue absence from work certificates for personal and carer’s leave.”
While this process is perfectly legal, Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group (AI Group) told news.com.au that employers who receive these forms are becoming increasingly sceptical of these claims.
“Pharmacists are not doctors and the Fair Work Act makes no reference to them being appropriately qualified to issue medical certificates for the purposes of personal/carer’s leave entitlements,” Mr Willox said.
“Many employers are likely to take the view that they are not satisfied with certificates obtained from pharmacists.”
Guidelines from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia also state that pharmecists should be cautious about handing out these forms without a good reason.
“For pharmacists the decision on whether or not to issue a certificate must not be taken lightly.
“Pharmacists will need to carefully consider whether or not the illness or injury that is the subject of the certificate is within their recognised area of practice,” the guidelines state.
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