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The Victorian Government is expanding the role of community pharmacists as part of a new 12-month pilot.

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 invested $20 million to establish the pilot with legislation being introduced to amend the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 allowing pharmacists to treat minor skin conditions and reissue oral contraceptives and medication for uncomplicated UTIs.

Modelled on similar schemes in New South Wales and Queensland, participating pharmacist immunisers will also have their scope expanded to administer travel and other public health vaccines.

The design and implementation of the pilot will be guided by expert advisory and clinical groups representing consumers and the pharmacy and medical professions.

The pilot will be evaluated and any recommendations will help inform longer-term decision-making around the role of community pharmacists.

This is one of many initiatives the government is delivering as part of a massive $4.9 billion investment in the Victorian Budget 23/24 aimed at giving Victorians the right care, when and where they need it.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard enough to see a GP, let alone one that bulk bills and that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e launching a 12-month pilot to test an expanded role for community pharmacists.

鈥淥ur community pharmacists have a wealth of experience and knowledge聽鈥� they can recognise when there鈥檚 a simple solution and when things need to be escalated to a doctor.鈥�

Image credit: iStockphoto.com/Drazen Zigic