THE Country Liberal Party's (CLP) pre-election commitment to the Northern Territory Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice program has garnered strong support from the state's Pharmacy Guild of Australia branch.
Under the program, trained community pharmacists will be able to treat 21 everyday health conditions, including school sores, shingles, and oral contraception.
One of the first services offered will be antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Peter Hatswell (pictured), President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NT Branch, said, "this initiative is critical to improving healthcare access and efficiency for Territorians and represents a transformative step forward for our healthcare system".
He emphasised the importance of enabling the profession to manage common health conditions, saying, "by enabling community pharmacists to manage a range of common health conditions, we can ensure patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it".
Thousands of Australian women have already benefited from similar services in other regions, underscoring the demand and trust in pharmacy-based healthcare.
Countries like the UK, Canada, and New Zealand have also seen positive outcomes from expanded pharmacy services, he explained.
"This program will not only save time and money for patients but also alleviate pressure on our overstretched healthcare system," said Hatswell.
"By allowing pharmacists to manage common conditions, we can free up GP appointments for more complex cases and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits." JG
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