Earache, acne, nausea, and reflux are among the everyday health conditions Canberrans will receive treatment for at their community pharmacy, if ACT Labor is re-elected on 19 October.
The ACT Branch of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomed the commitment today by Labor to expand pharmacists' scope of practice. This would bring the Territory in line with recent changes in New South Wales giving patients in Canberra greater access to healthcare for some acute conditions. The commitment also includes some chronic conditions following the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
ACT Branch President Simon Blacker joined Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Labor spokesperson for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith at TerryWhite Chemmart Compounding in Ainslie for the announcement.
"When 1 in 10 Canberrans are waiting three or more weeks for a GP appointment and emergency departments are overburdened, allowing pharmacists to provide a broader range of services for patients is essential," Mr Blacker said.
"It's no surprise that 93% of Canberrans support pharmacists working to their full scope of practice.
"Eligible patients have already benefited from 15 ACT pharmacies being part of a NSW trial treating uncomplicated UTIs and resupplying the oral contraceptive but there is more that community pharmacists can do to take the pressure off the ACT health system," Mr Blacker said.
"This trial showed us, as did COVID-19, how community pharmacies can provide even more support to our health system and our community," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
A re-elected Labor Government will allow all ACT community pharmacies to participate in the expanded pilot. In addition, ACT Labor will work to enable pharmacists to administer vaccines for people of all ages, as clinically appropriate.
"Labor has committed to further expanding pharmacists' scope of practice with appropriate training and evidence, so Canberrans can access more health services, treatment and support closer to home. Community pharmacists are vital to supporting Canberrans' health and wellbeing," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
Mr Blacker said that with 81 community pharmacies across the ACT, pharmacists were ready to play a greater role in primary health care.
"At the end of the day, it's about giving patients greater healthcare choices. This commitment by ACT Labor will result in easier access to everyday healthcare for Canberrans."
The Pharmacy Guild looks forward to working with ACT Labor and other healthcare stakeholders to improve patient outcomes in the Territory," he said
