Pharmacists will become authorised prescribers as part of a statewide pilot starting in October, following legislation passed that expanded their role.
Amendments to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 passed both Houses of the Victorian Parliament, meaning pharmacists will soon be able to treat minor skin conditions, reissue oral contraceptives and supply medication for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The pilot will also allow participating pharmacists to provide a range of travel and other public health vaccines.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the pilot would test an expanded role for community pharmacists and would help Victorians struggling to book GP appointments.
“Timely care is so important, even for basic health conditions, and this trial will explore the effectiveness of expanding the range of care pharmacists can offer to help Victorians access the care they need, when they need it,” she said.
Pharmacist prescribing is a well-established practice internationally with evidence showing it can be a safe, effective way to give people basic healthcare.
The 2023/24 State Budget allocated $20 million to establish the pilot, which is guided by expert advisory and clinical groups representing customers and the pharmacy and medical professions.
Pharmacists can participate in the pilot through an opt-in expression-of-interest process and will have to meet certain conditions before they can start providing services including mandatory training and an assessment of pharmacy facilities available.
The 12-month pilot will be evaluated with recommendations provided to government to help inform longer-term decision making on the prescribing role of community pharmacists.
