- An Australian-first pharmacy pilot to improve access to healthcare is now underway in north Queensland.
- This will allow participating pharmacists to treat and prescribe medicines for a range of common health conditions.
- The pilot will expand across the state over the next 12 months as more pharmacists complete the required education and training programs.
A new pilot that will expand the health services available through Queensland's community pharmacies commenced today (24 April).
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman visited Alive Pharmacy Warehouse in Cairns which is one of the pharmacies that is participating in the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
This innovative Australian-first pilot will provide greater access to healthcare for common health conditions, wellbeing services and chronic disease programs.
Pharmacists are required to complete additional education and training to ensure they are safely able to manage all conditions included in the pilot.
The pilot will expand across the state over the next 12 months as more pharmacists complete the required education and training program and will continue until June 2026.
The pilot enables pharmacists to treat and prescribe medicines for a wide range of health conditions and wellbeing services including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reflux
- Nasal congestion and hay fever
- Acne
- Eczema
- Mild psoriasis flare ups
- School sores
- Shingles
- Minor wounds
- Ear infections
- Mild pain and inflammation
- Support to quit smoking
- Hormonal contraception
- Oral health screening and fluoride application
- Travel health
- Management of weight and obesity
- Heart disease risk reduction (including blood pressure and cholesterol management)
- Improved symptom management for people with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Asthma
As of today, ten pharmacists and six pharmacies had been approved to participate in the pilot. These numbers are expected to increase in the coming days and weeks as clinicians and practices finalise their training, including one in Sarina.
The pilot follows the Queensland Government's successful Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Pharmacy Pilot, which helped more than 10,000 women access treatment for uncomplicated UTIs through their local pharmacy. This program has since been permanently implemented and is available at participating pharmacies.
