Community Pharmacy pilot becomes permanent

Community pharmacists can keep treating patients for more everyday health conditions, as the 18-month Victorian Community Statewide Pilot became a permanent program at the start of the new financial year.

Under the pilot, Victorians could receive some treatments at a local pharmacy without needing to see a doctor to get a prescription first.

Over the next two years, additional common health conditions and wellbeing services will be introduced to the Community Pharmacist Program, bringing the total to 22.

Most consultations are free for patients. Medication supplied under the Community Pharmacist Program will be at full price.

“Pharmacists have been successfully treating patients for conditions such as uncomplicated UTIs and resupplying the oral contraception pill for the last 18 months in Victoria and we are please the government has made this a permanent Program,” Pharmacy Guild Victorian president George Tambassis said.

Other conditions that now become permanent practice including treatment for shingles, mild plaque psoriasis, and travel vaccinations.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Victoria branch also welcomed the Victorian government’s commitment to expand the everyday conditions, as confirmed in the recent state budget.

“The government’s commitment to ensure pharmacists in Victoria can provide services for the same conditions available in other States and Territories is a huge win for patients,” Mr Tambassis said.

“Over the next two years, following the completion of training, patients will be able to see their community pharmacist for conditions such as ear infections, asthma and acute nausea and vomiting.”

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Victoria branch says it looks forward to working with the Victorian government on the implementation of the Community Pharmacist Program as additional common health conditions and wellbeing services are introduced into community pharmacy.