South Australia is the latest state to empower community pharmacists to deliver more primary health services to patients, following an announcement by South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton MP.
South Australians will be able to attend a local pharmacy instead of having to go to a GP for treatment of a range of conditions including ear infections, wound management, gastro, acne, reflux and muscle and joint pain to boost access to fast, convenient healthcare.
The Malinauskas Labor Government today announced a new program in SA that will see pharmacists, who have undertaken additional university training, able to assess, manage and treat more conditions which will provide additional healthcare options for South Australians and ease pressure across the health system.
Work is currently underway to significantly expand pharmacists’ scope of practice. Some conditions include:
- Skin conditions (shingles, psoriasis, dermatitis, school sores, acne)
- Ear infections
- Wound management
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Rhinitis
The Office of the Chief Pharmacist will work with key stakeholders to progress the models of care and universities to develop suitable courses for condition-specific training as well as prescribing and clinical assessment training.
The program is expected to start as early as 2026, pending completion of the required training.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia South Australian Branch President Nick Panayiaris said “the change brings South Australia into line with other states and territories, where pharmacists are increasingly offering more services to patients.
The Guild welcomes the progressive leadership of the Malinauskas Government and Minister Picton to improve South Australian’s access to healthcare.
It just makes sense for community pharmacists, as highly qualified health professionals, to work to their full scope of practice.
This announcement turns the near 500 pharmacies in South Australia into primary health care destinations to manage acute conditions”.
South Australia’s Health Minister, Chris Picton MP, in making the announcement, said “we are making it easier for South Australians to access the healthcare they need, when they need it at a convenient location”.
This new program willempower our highly-trained pharmacists to undertake consultations for additional health issues including ear infections and skin problems.
It will provide more timely access to care for a broader range of conditions while also helping to reduce pressure across our busy health system.
Already we’ve seen the success of our pharmacy UTI and Pill programs, resulting in a 21 per cent drop in UTI presentations to metropolitan hospitals”.