Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced on Tuesday, February 20, that 729 pharmacies across the state would be able to treat Victorians with mild psoriasis or shingles from early March.
It’s part of the next phase in the government’s 12-month Community Pharmacy Pilot program, which concludes in October.
The government said more than 3700 Victorians — overwhelmingly women — had accessed care at a pharmacy since the start of the pilot.
Around 2000 women have sought care and antibiotics to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections at participating pharmacies, 27 per cent of which are in regional Victoria.
The government said the pilot was also making 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.
Participating pharmacists must complete mandatory training, including about when someone should be referred to a GP or hospital. They must also have appropriate consulting facilities within the pharmacy.
The pilot will be evaluated at its conclusion, with recommendations informing longer-term decision-making on the concept.
There is no charge for patients to see a participating pharmacist to receive care under the pilot, and if medications are required, the cost to the patient would be no more than if they had received a prescription from a GP.
Ms Allan said the $20 million program was helping to increase the number of primary care options for Victorians, freeing up GPs for people with more complex conditions and reducing non-urgent emergency department presentations.
“It just makes sense to be able to pop down to your local pharmacy to get treatment for everyday conditions and basic healthcare needs, and our pilot program is helping thousands of women do just that,” she said.
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