Patients in every state and territory can now see a specially trained pharmacist for more of their everyday health needs. It follows two years of progress since Scope of Practice Review, Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce, was published.
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Professor Trent Twomey highlighted the steady state by state progress in improving access for patients and called on the federal government to introduce a nationally consistent endorsement framework.
"There's been steady, but significant, progress over the past two years to help patients access care when and where they need it.
"We know 90% of people1 support pharmacists being able to prescribe for common conditions, while 1 in 4 people saying that the wait to see a GP is unacceptable2" Professor Twomey said.
Services are delivered in private consultation rooms by specially trained pharmacists who have completed additional training and work within clear clinical protocols, referral pathways and guardrails. Pharmacists have been delivering these services safely and effectively internationally for decades.
Every state and territory has recognised the benefit of allowing specially trained pharmacists to do more -reducing the pressure on emergency departments and ensuring that GPs can focus on more complex patient presentations.
"It's hard for patients to know what's available in which state. The government needs to introduce a nationally consistent set of rules to end the postcode lottery and make sure patients can access safe and timely care wherever they live."
A nationally consistent endorsement framework would set a single national standard for pharmacists who prescribe, replacing today's patchwork of state and territory arrangements.
Changes since 2024:
- National: The Women's Health Trial will provide women with free consultations and medicines at PBS-equivalent prices for uncomplicated UTI treatment and hormonal contraception consultations.
- ACT: Patients can see a trained pharmacist for uncomplicated UTIs and oral contraceptive pill resupply following a successful pilot, with plans to expand to other everyday and long-term conditions soon
- NSW: Patients can see a prescribing pharmacist for hormonal contraception initiation, nausea and vomiting, rhinitis, reflux, mild musculoskeletal pain, mild to moderate acne, uncomplicated UTIs and skin conditions, with a pilot for ear infections and minor wounds
- NT: Patients can see a trained community pharmacist for over 21 everyday and long-term conditions, including shingles, impetigo, acne, otitis media and uncomplicated UTIs
- QLD: Patients can see a trained pharmacist for 17 everyday conditions, including ear infections and shingles, and a pilot for long-term conditions like asthma and high blood pressure is under way
- SA: Prescribing pharmacists can treat conditions including ear infections, wounds, nausea, reflux, musculoskeletal pain, rhinitis, shingles, impetigo and skin conditions, and provide smoking cessation and travel health services
- TAS: Patients can access care for uncomplicated UTIs and hormonal contraception, with ear infections, reflux, rhinitis and shingles to follow once pharmacists complete advanced training
- VIC: Patients can be treated for 23 conditions by a prescribing pharmacist, including impetigo, hormonal contraception, dermatitis, acne, reflux and menopausal hormone therapy resupply
- WA: Patients can currently access treatment for uncomplicated UTIs and hormonal contraception resupply, with care for 17 conditions, including asthma, shingles and acne, to follow
