THE New South Wales Govt announced yesterday that 9,000 treatments were delivered under the NSW and the Australian Capital Territory's scope of practice reforms, which saw patients access treatment for uncomplicated UTIs and repeat prescriptions of the oral contraceptive pill from their local pharmacist, according to the Guild.
The reforms commenced in May 2023 with 100 participating pharmacies, and have since expanded to include over 1,000 pharmacies statewide.
Media reports indicate that 8,770 women have received treatment for uncomplicated UTIs across NSW and the ACT, and more than 600 have received a resupply for the oral contraceptive pill, without needing a GP appointment.
"Nine thousand patients have now been treated at their local community pharmacy," confirmed the Pharmacy Guild's NSW branch President David Heffernan.
"This has taken the pressure off hospital emergency departments and freed up GPs to deal with more complex health issues."
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has also welcomed the NSW Govt's recent announcement that the trial will expand to include skin conditions such as 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 NSW economy in productivity gains and reduced healthcare costs", as patients are able to access the care they need without presenting to an emergency department or waiting for a GP appointment, according to the Pharmacy Guild.
"Patients should not have to wait weeks to see a GP for everyday healthcare, they need affordable, accessible primary healthcare.
"We are calling on the NSW Govt to deliver on its commitment to allow patients to be treated for 23 everyday health conditions at their local community pharmacy," concluded Heffernan. JG
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