Timely care, closer to home, will be made a reality following the Northern Territory government's announcement that empowers trained pharmacists to treat and manage a range of everyday and long-term health conditions.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has welcomed the announcement. Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National President Professor Trent Twomey said the changes will improve access to healthcare while easing pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments.
"Trained community pharmacists will be able to examine, diagnose and treat everyday health conditions like school sores or ear infections and undertake consultations with women to prescribe hormonal contraception. It means patients can Think Pharmacy First for treatment of everyday and long-term health conditions" said Professor Twomey.
The announcement comes as Territorians continue to face significant barriers to accessing timely and affordable healthcare. One in four Territorians is waiting more than three weeks for a GP appointment, while almost half (46 per cent) say the wait to see a GP is unacceptable.1
At the same time, community pharmacy remains one of the Territory's most trusted and accessible healthcare destinations, with 88 per cent of Territorians trusting the care and advice they receive from their local pharmacy.
"Australians visit a pharmacy every three weeks on average – and they are often open earlier, later and longer hours making it more convenient for many looking to access safe and effective treatment.
"This announcement means more Territorians can get the right treatment, at the right time, without unnecessary delays. It saves patients time and money and allows GPs and emergency departments to focus on more complex care."
"Community pharmacists assess, triage, diagnose and treat patients every day, ensuring safe and effective use of medicines in line with clinical guidelines. This announcement empowers specially trained pharmacists to do more - building on this trusted role and improving access to care, especially in areas where other health services can be hard to reach," he said.
Community pharmacies are owned by pharmacists who abide by strict codes of conduct and have undertaken significant training. Pharmacists offering these services have successfully completed a graduate certificate course which includes modules on taking a medical history, practical examinations and clinical reasoning.
The Guild also welcomed the Northern Territory Government's investment in pharmacist training and its support for workforce mobility, enabling appropriately trained pharmacists from other jurisdictions to practise to their full capability in the Territory.
"Empowering pharmacists to deliver more frontline care strengthens the entire primary healthcare system. It spreads the healthcare load. It means patients can Think Pharmacy First and get care when and where they need it – including after hours and on weekends," Professor Twomey said.
- Insightfully nationally representative online survey (n=3,319; fielded 27 Oct–4 Nov 2025).
