The peak professional organisation representing Australian pharmacists has spoken out against drug company Pfizer Australia over a controversial patient support program.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is questioning Pfizer and the Pharmacy Guild after it was revealed pharmacists are being paid $7 each time they enrol patients, who have been prescribed Pfizer products, in a patient support program.

Under the program, the pharmacist provides the patient’s personal contact information to the drug company, which then communicates health information directly to the patient.

In a statement, the PSA said it “does not and cannot support this kind of arrangement”.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia national president Grant Kardachi said it appeared Pfizer was usurping the role of the pharmacist in providing professional support, advice and ongoing monitoring of patients.

“The professional role of the pharmacist is critical to any patient support program,” Mr Kardachi said.

“PSA prefers an approach where a pharmacist is supported in providing professional advice to the consumer in the pharmacy on issues around adherence, correct use and the benefits and adverse effects of medication.”

A spokesperson for Pfizer said the patient support program was not a form of promotion or advertising and instead was designed to help patients who have already been prescribed a Pfizer product from their doctor.

Pfizer also said the $7 payment was an administration fee to ensure pharmacists “are not out of pocket for the time involved in explaining a patient support program”.

“The aim of these programs is to help patients better understand their condition and their medicine, to provide lifestyle information, and to improve adherence to their medicine,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Kardachi said pharmacists must comply with the PSA’s Code of Ethics, its Professional Practice Standards and Competency Standards when dispensing prescriptions.