One hundred community pharmacists across Queensland are now fully trained and authorised to deliver expanded health services as part of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (The Pilot).
Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland President Chris Owen, confirmed the milestone last week, calling it a step forward in improving patient access to timely health services.
“This means there are now 100 communities across the state that have another option when it comes to receiving treatment for everyday conditions like ear infections, hormonal contraception, nausea and vomiting and mild skin conditions,” Mr Owen said.
“Having these 100 community pharmacists offering more choices to Queenslanders provides greater access to health care services for patients and will take pressure off the health care system.”
Additional services made permanent
Mr Owen said this milestone was especially timely given the recent announcement by the Crisafulli Government that starting 1 July 2025, Queenslanders will gain permanent access to treatment for acute, everyday health conditions currently permitted under the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
These conditions are:
• Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
• Acute minor wound management
• Acute nausea and vomiting
• Acute otitis externa
• Acute otitis media
• Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Hormonal contraception
• Impetigo
• Management for overweight and obesity
• Mild to moderate acne
• Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
• Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
• Smoking cessation
• Travel health.
“With these conditions being made permanent, I expect that we will see even more community pharmacists come forward to be trained so that they too can offer these health services in their communities,” Mr Owen said.
‘Years of training and a significant time commitment’
“In addition to the years of training needed to become a community pharmacist, there’s a significant additional time commitment and further tertiary level training required to be authorised to provide the services in this Pilot,” he added.
Patients are encouraged to visit Find a Pharmacy to find out more and discover what services their local pharmacist can offer.
