By Bronwyn Hastings

Horsham Amcal pharmacists Beck Burns and Carlie Streeter are now treating people who present with everyday conditions such as urinary tract infections and the need of resupply of oral contraceptives, as part of a statewide trial.

The Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot also enables a travel vaccination service, and the treatment of mild plaque psoriasis and shingles.

Mrs Streeter said pharmacists participating in the pilot had undertaken further study to deliver the services.

“There are different modules pharmacists have done, depending on what they’re interested in and community need,” she said.

“We are helping people get timely access to health care when they need it.

“It’s been a game-changer for our patients to be able to access that service, for example, it’s a Friday night, you have a UTI and just want treatment. The last thing you want to do is sit at ED for two or three hours for antibiotics. 

“You can come in and see a pharmacist and if it’s appropriate, we can provide treatment there and then.”

Mrs Streeter said wait times to see a doctor at Horsham were short, but some regional areas experienced long wait times.

“There are places, especially in regional areas, where people have to wait a long time, but this service isn’t about replacing a doctor, it is for the times you cannot get in to see a doctor,” she said. 

Mrs Streeter said there was a national deficit; all Australian pharmacists held a national registration, but the confines of the job were different in each state.

“We do have a little bit of a gap in our health care there, so we’re trying to get the State Government to not only make these pilot services permanent practice with what we do every day, but also expand that scope to put us in line with other states as well,” she said.

“The pilot has been a huge success, so we are trying to get a commitment from the State Government to not only just say, let’s make this everyday practice, but also to expand and let us do more.

“The universities are ready to go; they’ve got the content, they’re ready to teach newly graduating pharmacists how to do this and for it to become normal practice. 

“But unfortunately, the legislation is not there to be able to enable us to do that.” 

The extension of the original pilot is due to finish at the end of June.

“We’re hoping there’ll be a budget announcement, but we’re just having some discussions and trying to get it across the line,” Mrs Streeter said. 

“It’s not going to come at a cost to the State Government, it will save them money – there will be less hospitalisations, less emergency department consultations.

“This is actually going to save a huge amount of money in the health budget.”

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