Joanna Tucker, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

The South Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, aiming to alleviate pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments by allowing pharmacists to manage a wider range of health conditions.

Under the new program, South Australians will be able to visit local pharmacies for common ailments such as ear infections, wound management, gastro-oesophageal reflux, muscle and joint pain and nausea, in addition to already available services like medication for urinary tract infections and oral contraceptive pill resupply.

Newbery Chemists general manager Tim Gross said the expanded program was in its preliminary planning stages.

“Whenever there is a scope of practice change for pharmacists, we liaise with our local medical centres to let them know what’s going on and work with them to ensure the best health outcomes for our community,” Mr Gross said.

Although the complete program is expected to roll out in 2026 after pharmacists have done the required training, early results from the initial roll-out of UTI and OCP services in March have been released.

More than 4130 UTI consultations have been provided in pharmacies, leading to a 21 per cent decrease in UTI-related hospital visits.

Similarly, over 380 women have accessed OCP resupply through pharmacies without needing a GP appointment.

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said he supported the expanded program, which would allow patients with more serious conditions to receive timely care.

“For minor ailments, which undoubtedly need treatment of some sort, if they can be treated elsewhere by someone else, it will open up opportunities in the ER for people with more acute issues,” Mr Ellis said.

Australian Medical Association SA president Dr John Williams called for more collaboration between pharmacists and GPs.

Stressing that patient care should not be compromised, he said GPs undergo 10 to 12 years of training in diagnosis and treatment, whereas pharmacists are primarily trained in dispensing medications.

He also said an overhaul of Medicare would provide better support for general practice, which he described as the most cost-effective form of healthcare.

Expanded chemist services

The proposed increased scope of practice for pharmacists includes:

• Skin conditions (such as shingles, psoriasis, dermatitis, school sores, acne);
• Ear infections;
• Wound management;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux;
• Musculoskeletal pain;
• Rhinitis

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 9 October 2024.