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What an increase in pharmacy
scope means for you

Pharmacists are now being given the power to prescribe for a range of common conditions, including travel vaccines and more.

 

What an increase in pharmacy
scope means for you

Pharmacists are now being given the power to prescribe for a range of common conditions, including travel vaccines and more.

What an increase in pharmacy scope
means for you

Pharmacists are now being given the power to prescribe for a range of common conditions, including travel vaccines and more.

The scope of the Pharmacist is changing, giving participating Pharmacists the power to prescribe for “a range of common conditions”.

What are the increased pharmacy powers?

 

Chemists in 37 local government areas in North Queensland are participating in a trial program to allow Pharmacists to diagnose 23 different types of conditions without needing to see a General Practitioner (GP). Some of these conditions include heart failure, asthma and more.

 

From the 1st of October 2022, Pharmacists in QLD have the ability to prescribe treatment to women for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

 

In February 2023, states including New South Wales and Victoria will implement the urinary tract infection pilot program which will allow Pharmacists in these states and territories to prescribe for the same condition.

 

Want to know more about what your state is doing? Find information about key changes in:

 

• Queensland

• ACT

• NSW

• Victoria

• Tasmania

• Northern Territory

• South Australia

• Western Australia

 

All information is correct at the time of writing (18 January 2023), but will be updated once more information about these pilot programs has been released.

 

How do increased pharmacy powers impact me?

 

If you live in north Queensland, in one of the 37 local government areas and visit a pharmacy participating in the pilot program, you are able to get a prescription written for a range of conditions without needing to see your doctor.

 

If you live in NSW and visit a pharmacy participating in the pilot program, there is increased access to public health and travel vaccinations, including Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid and more. You can see the full list below.

 

Other states and territories have also increased access to travel vaccinations. For more information about your state, please scroll down.

 

Why have the QLD, NSW and VIC Governments implemented an increased scope of the pharmacy?

 

QLD Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has said that the trial program is an election promise that’s being fulfilled to help resource-dry regional areas.

 

"It will see Pharmacists administering more types of vaccines and prescribing medicines for a range of common conditions," Ms D'Ath said to the ABC.

 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said that the scope of NSW Pharmacists is increasing in order to address the pressures placed on the healthcare system.

 

“The Federal Government should be providing more support for GPs and a greater amount of free bulk-billing services but we can’t sit around and wait for them to catch-up and meet the growing demand,” he said, according to NSW Health.

 

Victoria has also started to expand the role of the community Pharmacist from October 2023 as part of a 12-month pilot. This will allow Pharmacists to provide treatment and advice for common conditions and basic health care needs.

 

“Our community pharmacists have a wealth of experience and knowledge – they can recognise when there’s a simple solution and when things need to be escalated to a doctor,” explained Victorian Minister For Health Mary-Anne Thomas.

Queensland Pilot Program FAQS

What services are included in the Pilot Program in North Queensland?

  • There are three categories included in the pilot, which include:
  • Access to a wider range of vaccinations
  • Prescriptions written for specified acute common conditions, which can be seen below
  • Structured prescribing as part of a chronic disease management program

What vaccinations covered in the North Queensland Pilot Program?

A range of vaccinations are covered, with the ones underlined being what Blooms The Chemist Pharmacies already offer. These vaccinations include1:

 

 

1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

What conditions can Queensland Pharmacists participating in the trial write prescriptions for?

The following conditions can be diagnosed by Queensland Pharmacists participating in the trial and have prescriptions written for:

 

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

  • Acute nausea and vomiting

  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis

  • Impetigo

  • Herpes zoster (shingles)

  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis

  • Mild to moderate acne

  • Acute minor wound management

  • Acute diffuse otitis externa

  • Acute otitis media

  • Acute mild musculoskeletal pain and inflammation

  • Smoking cessation

  • Hormonal contraception

  • Oral health screening and fluoride application

  • Travel health

  • Management of overweight and obesity

 

This means that if you visit a Pharmacist participating in the trial in North Queensland, you are able to get prescriptions written that treat the conditions above.

What is covered under a Queensland Pharmacists ability to structure prescriptions as part of a chronic disease management program?

  • The following conditions are covered under a Queensland Pharmacists ability to structure prescriptions as part of a chronic disease management program. They are:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Program - for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension

  • Improved Asthma Symptom Program

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Monitoring Program

Is there a fee that I have to pay?

Yes, the Pilot program is a “user-pays” model, which means there are fees associated with the services you are provided.

 

The following prices below are indicative and may change depending on which Local Government Area you visit1.

 

Short Consultation Medium Consultation Long Consultation

Duration

< 15 minutes

15 to <30 minutes

> 30 minutes

Indicative Price

$20 - 25

$30

$55

 

1Table information taken from the North Queensland Community pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot - Pilot Services document, accessed 18 January 2022.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

What vaccinations are available in ACT community pharmacies?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists are authorised to administer include1:

 

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee that I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

NSW Pilot Program FAQS

What services are included in the NSW Pilot Program?

The following services are included in the NSW Pilot Program:

 

  • Pharmacists are authorised to administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccinations
  • A 12 month trial will be funded to evaluate the effectiveness of Pharmacists prescribing medication for urinary tract infections
  • A statewide pilot program will be supported where Pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain conditions, including skin ailments, ear infections and hormonal contraception

 

Pharmacists will be able to treat urinary tract infections starting from July 31, and training for Pharmacists before they can treat the 23 conditions will start in February. However, not all pharmacies will offer this service.

 

To find Blooms The Chemist pharmacies that offer this service, please use our Store Finder page and filter by Pharmacist Consultations.

 

For women who need a resupply of their low-risk oral contraceptive pill (the pill), this service will be offered later in 2023 and available in participating pharmacies.

What vaccinations are covered in the NSW Pilot Program?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists are authorised to administer include1:

 

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee that I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

Victoria Pilot Program FAQS

What services are to be included in Victoria?

Victoria is set to commence their pilot program in October 2023. You can expect the following services to be offered in Victorian pharmacies:

 

  • Continued supply of select oral contraceptive pills without a prescription for women
  • Treatments for some mild skin conditions
  • An increased range of vaccinations available, with a focus on travel health
  • Antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women

 

What vaccinations are covered?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists in Victoria are authorised to administer include1:

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

Tasmania

On 22 December, 2022, Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff announced that a review is underway to identify opportunities to expand the offerings of pharmacies in Australia.

 

Changes that are set to be made include Pharmacists in Tasmania being allowed to administer a wider range of vaccines, including common travel vaccines already prescribed by a GP and vaccines used for the prevention of shingles.

 

Rockliff also confirmed that the extended role of the Pharmacist would include expanding the lists of medications that are subject to dispensing provisions. This includes:

 

• Medications used to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol

• Oral contraceptives

• Medications for the treatment of migraines, eczema, asthma and emphysema

• Patients who are stabilised on antidepressant medications

 

However, this does not mean that Pharmacists can initiate or prescribe these medications, but can supply a month of medication after a patient’s prescription runs out and is unable to see their General Practitioner.

 

What vaccinations are available in Tasmanian community pharmacies?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists in Tasmania are authorised to administer include1:

 

  •  

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

Northern Territory

In November 2022, the Northern Territory Parliament passed legislation that saw the Scope of the Pharmacist increase.


The Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 now allows Pharmacists to appropriately supply Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicines when there is a clinical need.

What vaccinations are available in Northern Territory community pharmacies?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists in NT are authorised to administer include1:

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

South Australia

In December, the South Australian parliament explored how Pharmacists could provide medication for some urinary tract infections without the need to see a general practitioner (GP), following the lead of Queensland and NSW trials.

What vaccinations are available in South Australian community pharmacies?

The vaccinations that Pharmacists in SA are authorised to administer include1:

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.


1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

Is there a fee I have to pay?

Please contact your local Blooms The Chemist for information about vaccination fees.

Western Australia

The Western Australian Government announced that patients are able to access NIP (government) funded vaccines from a community pharmacy.

 

This means that community pharmacies are able to administer some of the following vaccines1:

 

 

The vaccinations with links are vaccinations that are currently available at Blooms The Chemist.

 

The community pharmacy vaccination is still set to expand, with more vaccinations available in the future.

 

From the 4th of August, 2023, women in Western Australia will be able to access UTI treatment, which will be provided by specially trained pharmacists. These pharmacists are authorised to provide women aged between 18 - 65 with a confidential consultation and provide a range of treatment options, including:

 

• Antibiotics

• A referral to a medical practicioner in more severe cases

 

1Information taken from NCIRS Information Sheet - Vaccines from Community pharmacy

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