Pharmacy Daily | 12,000 treatments offered

THE NSW Government yesterday announced that its scope of practice trial for pharmacists has seen 12,000 treatments delivered.

Under the trial, patients can access treatment for uncomplicated UTIs and repeat prescriptions of the oral contraceptive pill from their local pharmacist.

Beginning in May last year 100 pharmacies participated in the NSW trial that has expanded now to include over 1,000 pharmacies.

The trial is set to expand further in coming weeks to include skin conditions like impetigo, shingles, and dermatitis.

These and other scope of practice reforms are anticipated to deliver a total dollar benefit of $1.6 billion annually to the New South Wales economy in productivity gains and reduced healthcare costs.

This comes as patients are able to access the treatment they need without presenting to an emergency department or waiting for a doctors' appointment.

"Patients need affordable, accessible everyday healthcare," said the Pharmacy Guild's NSW branch President, David Heffernan.

"With NSW pharmacists working closer to their full scope of practice, 12,000 patients across the state have accessed treatment at their local community pharmacy, taking pressure off of hospital emergency departments and GPs," commented Heffernan.

"Rather than having to wait weeks to see a GP for everyday healthcare issues, patients across the state have been able to get treatment from their local pharmacy thanks to these reforms." JG