SWAN Hill residents are being urged to turn to pharmacies for the treatment of everyday health conditions as waiting times to see a doctor continue to balloon out.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Professor Trent Twomey said pharmacists were doing more for their patients than ever before, providing Australians with more choice and more affordable primary health care options.
“Already highly qualified health professionals, pharmacists are upskilling to increase the scope of the services they deliver, including being able issue prescriptions and advice for minor ailments like earaches, skin conditions and UTIs and administering a range of vaccinations,” Prof. Twomey said.
“Pharmacists are part a critical part of a holistic health system.
“We are putting our hands up to do more, to take the pressure off GPs and, more importantly, to keep Australians out of emergency departments.
“With pharmacy playing a more versatile role in the health care system, Australians with more serious conditions can be seen by their GP faster, when they need it most.”
New research revealed overwhelming support for pharmacists to step up, with nine in 10 Australians saying they backed pharmacists to offer more primary health care services.
Prof Twomey said almost all states and territories were now providing the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs and for the resupply of hormonal contraceptives.
“More than 95 per cent of metropolitan Australians live within 2.5km of a pharmacy, with 83 per cent of regional Australians within 5km,” he said.
“Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and the ACT have all launched programs allowing community pharmacists to expand health care services to their patients.”
