Pharmacy Daily | Time for States to follow Qld’s lead

STATE and Territory Governments are being urged to follow Queensland in authorising community pharmacists to initiate treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Pharmacists in the sunshine state have been able to diagnose and treat UTIs as part of their permanent scope of practice since Sat 01 Oct, following the completion of the UTI Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said the decision was a positive step for women's healthcare.

"Credit where credit is due, the Palaszczuk Labor Government took best practice health care from other OECD Nations, piloted it in Queensland, had it evaluated by the Queensland University of Technology, and the university found that 6,513 women could be safely and effectively treated by a community pharmacist," he said.

"The Government should be applauded for its efforts to systematically reform health services in Queensland to give patients great choice and access to world-class services.

"Community pharmacists are proud to be at the forefront of advances in women's health.

"Statistics show that 50% of Australian women experience a UTI in their lifetime.

"Women who don't have access to a GP clinic or cannot book an appointment will be able to access safe, effective and convenient care at their community pharmacy for uncomplicated UTIs.

"We know from experience the sooner a UTI is diagnosed and treated, the less likely the patient is to experience further complications that may result in hospitalisation.

"It is estimated that through the pilot, almost 1,000 emergency department presentations were prevented by having this service available."

"It's now time for other Australian states and territories to follow the leadership shown by the Palaszczuk Labor Government in recognising the scope of community pharmacists and providing the same UTI service for women across Australia."

Guild economic analysis presented at its Pharmacy Industry Roadshow in Sydney last month forecast that the NSW Government could generate savings of up to $31.4 million a year by authorising pharmacists to treat UTIs.