The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch, thanks Victoria's retiring Minister for Health, the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, for her dedicated support of Victoria's community pharmacy sector.
Minister Thomas has been instrumental in enabling community pharmacists to do more for patients by expanding scope of practice under what is now a permanent Community Pharmacist Program.
Victoria Branch President George Tambassis said Minister Thomas had been a trusted partner and friend to the community pharmacy sector throughout a period of significant reform.
"Minister Thomas has consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen, to engage and to recognise the essential role community pharmacists play in the Victorian health system," Mr Tambassis said.
"She has been a genuine friend to community pharmacy and, importantly, to the millions of Victorians who rely on their local pharmacist every day."
Under Minister Thomas' leadership, Victoria has progressed patient-centric reforms to improve access to timely care for everyday health conditions, reducing pressure on emergency departments and ensuring patients can receive treatment for more conditions at their local community pharmacy.
Through the Community Pharmacist Program, the Minister has backed community pharmacists to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to women, including treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and resupply of the oral contraceptive pill. Under the program, community pharmacists will be able to prescribe oral contraception for women aged 18 and over from July this year.
With the Minister's support, Victorian community pharmacists have additionally been authorised to administer an expanded range of vaccinations for adults and children as well as provide nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation support.
Mr Tambassis said these changes would not have been possible without Minister Thomas' vision and commitment to reform.
"The Guild is deeply grateful for Minister Thomas' support in enabling community pharmacists to deliver more patient services safely and responsibly," he said.
"Her leadership has helped embed pharmacists as frontline primary health care providers and has delivered tangible benefits to patients across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria."
The Guild extends its sincere thanks to Minister Thomas for her service to the Victorian community and wishes her well in her next chapter.
