Tasmanian women will benefit from improved access to urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment through a community pharmacist in coming months as part of the Rockliff Liberal Government’s expansion of the role of pharmacies.
In a first for Tasmania, pharmacists will be able to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs.
This expanded service is in response to the independent Pharmacist Scope of Practice Review commissioned by our Government to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of the role of pharmacists in Tasmania.
Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, said this is one of the many common-sense reforms our Government is progressing as part of our nation-leading approach to supporting community pharmacies to deliver more services, helping to ease pressure on general practitioners and hospitals.
“It follows the highly successful No Script, No Stress initiative introduced last year that has enabled Tasmanian pharmacists to make a one-off supply of most prescription-only medicines to patients,” Minister Barnett said.
Minister for Women, Madeleine Ogilvie said the ability to access more UTI treatments from a pharmacy is an important women’s health initiative.
“This expanded service will ensure more Tasmanian women get the healthcare they need without waiting to see a GP,” Minister Ogilvie said.
The Government is working with key stakeholders across the sector to develop a plan to implement this expanded access.