More community pharmacies in the ACT will soon be able to offer treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and re-supply the oral contraceptive pill as the ACT Government announced that services are now becoming a permanent part of Canberra’s health network.
The clinical trial saw more than 780 consultations for Canberra women aged 18-64 presenting with symptoms of uncomplicated UTIs, and 176 consultations for Canberrans seeking re-supply of the oral contraceptive pill.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the move, with ACT Branch President Olivia Collenette MPS highlighting access to safe and timely care as essential pillars of good health.
“Expanding treatment for acute UTIs and making oral contraceptives easier to access means more accessible care for Canberrans,” Ms Collenette said.
“Community pharmacists are essential members of the health care team, and with appropriate training can play an even greater role in supporting our community’s health.
“PSA proudly supports pharmacists with the education and training required to deliver high-quality care to Canberrans. I encourage ACT pharmacists who aren’t already providing these services to take this opportunity to grow their practice with the support of PSA’s leading pharmacist education.”
As part of the announcement, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA also flagged a move to align the Vaccinations by Pharmacists Standard to better align with neighbouring states.
Ms Collenette said that this was a step in the right direction, but more could be done.
“PSA advocates for the national alignment of pharmacy services, allowing pharmacists to practise to our full scope,” Ms Collenette said.
“It continues to be a challenge for our profession when a patient in one jurisdiction can access a certain level of care, while a patient in another jurisdiction cannot.
“We’ve seen South Australia really lead the way in recent months, removing unnecessary red tape that prevented pharmacists from delivering certain vaccinations. The result has been a health system that champions vaccination uptake, making it easier to access critical care when and where it’s needed.
“Our vision is for pharmacists to play a greater role at the forefront of Canberra’s health system, practising to our full and top of scope, better supporting patients with medicine use. We need the ACT Government, and governments around the country, to work with us to cut unnecessary red tape and make this vision a reality,” Ms Collenette concluded.
