THE Tasmanian Government has announced a $5 million investment to fund post-graduate training for pharmacists, to deliver expansion to pharmacist scope of practice.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and Pharmacy Guild of Australia have welcomed the move as a significant step in realising the full potential of pharmacists to support timely access to essential health care.
"Tasmanians know our health system is under immense pressure and recognise that all health professionals need to practice to their full ability in order for care to be available when it's most needed," said PSA Tasmania President Joanne Gross.
Building on the success of the UTI treatment program, pharmacists will soon be able to provide care to Tasmanians when and where they need it, Gross said, including timely assessment, prompt treatment and referrals to others in the health system for management of the acute presentation or ongoing care.
The decision follows Queensland and the Northern Territory, where patients can access treatment for more than 20 everyday and long-term health conditions at their local community pharmacy.
The government will subsidise training for qualified pharmacists to treat conditions such as ear infections, reflux, skin conditions such as shingles and eczema, rhinitis and wound care.
"These conditions represent the highest volume of preventable hospital presentations and highest volume of PBS prescribing," Tasmanian Branch President, Joe O'Malley explained.
The funding was announced as a part of the upcoming 2025-26 Budget, and will also cover an Australian-first aged care pharmacist collaborative prescribing pilot program, enabling pharmacists to prescribe medication to Tasmanian aged care residents in collaboration with their general practitioner.
"Community pharmacists play a key role in holistic patient care, working in partnership with other health professionals," O'Malley said.
"This includes at local aged care facilities where community pharmacists offer invaluable support, and we are looking forward to working with the government to expand this work," he concluded.
The expanded services are expected to become available next year as community pharmacists complete the required training. KB
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