NSW is the first state in Australia to allow pharmacists to renew prescriptions for the contraceptive pill and treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) as part of a fast-tracked plan to make it easier for women to access important medications and treatments.
Now the program is being expanded from 100 to over 1000 pharmacies so more pharmacists can provide timely care to women who need it, with consultations related to the contraceptive pill and UTI treatments available now in participating pharmacies.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the successful pharmacy program has made it more convenient and cheaper for women to visit their pharmacist.
“This program enables local women to beat the queues at the GP and instead walk into their local pharmacy to get the care they need, when they need it,” Mr Toole said.
“This is making it easier and quicker for the community to access prescription medications and treatments that typically cannot wait for the amount of time it currently takes to see a GP.
“This reform will ease the pressure on primary care and ensure locals are able to access the care they need, when they need it.”
The Australian-first pharmacy plan extends the scope of what many pharmacists can already prescribe, enhancing their role in providing direct care to the community.
Participating pharmacists can prescribe treatment for UTIs and extend an original script for oral contraceptive issued by a GP or nurse practitioner in the past 2 years.
They are also required to undertake additional training for these specific conditions to ensure safe prescribing practices.
The previous NSW Government partnered with the University of Newcastle to design and implement the clinical trial.
A list of participating pharmacies can be found here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Pages/pharmacy-trial-locations.aspx