IN his keynote address at Pharmacy Connect this morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) announced that the University of Newcastle and the University of Technology Sydney will offer full-scope training for community pharmacists from first semester 2026 (PD breaking news).
The president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch, Mario Barone, described the news as "a gamechanger".
"By embedding a nationally consistent curriculum of full-scope training in our universities, we're ensuring the next generation of pharmacists are ready to deliver expert, accessible care across 23 conditions, including reflux, acute nausea, allergies, asthma, hypertension and oral contraception," Barone said.
Minns also announced that pharmacists around the state will now be able to permanently offer treatment for common skin conditions including shingles, impetigo and psoriasis.
In addition, the government is in discussion with the Guild and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to look at ways of improving access to antiviral medication for the treatment of influenza.
"Currently, these can only be accessed from doctors or qualified nurses, but we know how important these treatments are from protecting older and vulnerable members of the community," Minns said, pointing out that 900 people died in NSW hospitals last week from the common flu.
The Premier also highlighted three significant trends pressing down on the healthcare system.
"One is the regular number of people turning up to emergency departments is more than ever.
"Two is the reduction [of] the number of people visiting their local GP, and three is the falling number of GPs we have to provide those services.
"We have to be realistic and look for safe and reliable ways to provide some of the health care outside those traditional avenues," Minns said.
The Premier urged pharmacists to sign up for the training to provide new practices.
"Pharmacists are many things, but first and foremost, you are health care professionals and you are trusted by your community.
"And if we have to call on you to provide more of that care, to expand access to support our hospitals, to treat people when they need it close to home, I know that you're putting your hand up, because that's what you've always done in the past," he concluded. KB
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