Victorians seeking treatment for mild and common skin conditions will soon be able to access the care needed at a community pharmacy at no cost.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced 729 pharmacies can treat Victorians with mild psoriasis or shingles from early March through the Community Pharmacy Pilot’s next phase.
New data revealed more than 3700 Victorians – overwhelmingly women – have already accessed care at a pharmacy since the start of the pilot.
Victorian women are reaping the benefits of the pilot, with around 2000 women seeking care and antibiotics to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections, UTIs.
The pilot also makes it easier for women to get a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill, with around 1300 women avoiding trips to their GP for a simple script refill.
Ms Allan said the pilot was an efficient program.
“It just makes sense to be able to pop down to your local pharmacy to get treatment for everyday conditions and basic health care needs, and our pilot program is helping thousands of women do just that,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the pilot made it easier for women to access needed healthcare.
“Running out of a pill prescription or needing to get treatment quickly for a UTI can be inconvenient and expensive,” she said.
‘That’s why we’re making it cheaper and easier for Victorian women to get the care they need.”
The pilot also eases overseas trip preparation with 400 Victorians accessing the in-pharmacy travel health and vaccination consultations.
There is no charge for patients to see a participating pharmacist to receive care under the pilot, and if medications are required, the cost would be no more than if they had received a prescription from a GP.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said being able to visit a pharmacy for some conditions was more efficient.
“Being able to duck down the road to the local pharmacy saves time and money and makes life just that little bit easier for the women in our community,” she said.
“This is a great initiative and one that I am proud our government is delivering.”
The $20 million investment increases the number of primary care options for Victorians, freeing up GPs for people with more complex conditions and reducing non-urgent emergency department presentations.
