Key Facts:
- World Pharmacists Day on 25 September celebrates the expanded role of community pharmacists in Victoria, with the number of conditions treatable at local pharmacies having more than doubled over the past 12 months, rising to 23 conditions by mid-2026.
- Conditions now treatable at Victorian community pharmacies include urinary tract infections, shingles, mild acne, impetigo, dermatitis, psoriasis, acute mild musculoskeletal pain, and contraceptive pill initiation, among others.
- Over 100,000 consultations have been provided to Victorians utilising expanded pharmacy services, with more than 68% of those consultations being with women, who are benefiting from the convenient and accessible healthcare available.
- Hundreds of Victorian community pharmacists have undertaken additional postgraduate training to deliver these expanded services, easing pressure on the broader healthcare system and reducing patient wait times.
- According to the latest Australian Healthcare Index, pharmacists are the highest rated health professionals for trustworthiness among over 8,000 survey participants, achieving a net promoter score of 44.
This Friday (25 September) is World Pharmacists Day and, for the more than 900 community pharmacies doing more for patients across Victoria, there's plenty to celebrate.
Over the past 12 months, the number of additional common conditions Victorians can access treatment for at their local community pharmacy has more than doubled, with a total of 23 conditions to be available under pharmacists' full scope of practice in Victoria by mid-next year, easing pressure on the healthcare system and making treatment more accessible for all.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch President George Tambassis said everyone wins when you cut wait times for patients.
"The theme for this year's World Pharmacist Day is 'empowering pharmacists for healthier futures' and this couldn't be more relevant for Victorian community pharmacists," George said.
"Some of the conditions we are now able to treat - such as shingles and urinary tract infections - are especially time-sensitive, so being able to start treatment in a timely manner can make all the difference to achieving a more comfortable and favourable outcome for patients.
"Hundreds of Victorian community pharmacists have undertaken or enrolled in additional postgraduate training to offer these treatments to their patients.
"More than 100,000 consultations have been provided to Victorians who have capitalised on community pharmacy's flexible opening hours and increased scope, and importantly more than 68% of consultations have been with women, who are finding it easier to put their health first thanks to the availability of safe and convenient healthcare available at their local pharmacy."
Victorian pharmacists are now able to treat conditions including:
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- shingles
- travel health and other vaccines (including Hepatitis A and B)
- initiation of the oral contraceptive pill
- resupply of select hormonal contraception
- mild acne
- impetigo (school sores)
- acute mild musculoskeletal pain
- mild to moderate dermatitis
- mild plaque psoriasis.
Suburban Melbourne community pharmacist Nicole Hardwick said there's no better time to highlight the vital work of Victorian pharmacists, and the value and peace of mind they bring to communities.
"I'm proud to represent Victoria's pharmacy community. We don't take it lightly that we're some of the most trusted and respected health professionals according to patients, so it feels right that we focus on delivering the best services possible to the locals that support us, so we can better support them," Nicole said.
"I've loved building a wonderful community with local residents, and many of our patients have been coming to us and trusting us with advice for generations."
According to the latest Australian Healthcare Index (7th edition, 2025), pharmacists are the highest rated health professionals by over 8,000 survey participants on the scale of trust - with a net promoter score of 44.
