Pharmacists in NSW will do more for patients in 2024

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s New South Wales branch has welcomed an announcement by the Minns Government to broaden the pharmacy prescribing trial to include certain skin conditions from next year.


In a speech to the Pharmacy Guild’s NSW annual dinner, New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed the broadening of the trial will begin in March 2024.

Pharmacy Guild New South Wales Branch President David Heffernan congratulated the Health Minister for making the announcement.

“This development shows that the State Government is moving in the right direction, and we welcome it.


“Come next March it will be easier for patients with certain skin conditions to access prescription medicines,” Mr Heffernan said.

He referred to the already successful trial under way in the state of pharmacists diagnosing and treating women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

“Pharmacies across NSW, from Bondi to Bourke, have already treated thousands of women with urinary tract infections who would otherwise have struggled to see a GP or attended an emergency department.

“It’s not only saving patients time but money which is crucial when doctors’ bulk billing rates continue to fall and during a cost-of-living crisis.”

He said New South Wales patients will benefit even more when the New South Wales Government adopts the full scope trial such as Queensland’s, which will see pharmacists being able to treat and prescribe for 23 everyday health conditions.

“Patients could be walking into their pharmacy as early as 1 July 2025 and receive treatment for a wide range of everyday health conditions like wound care, asthma, hay fever and shingles,” he said.

Mr Heffernan pointed to research which shows 90% of NSW voters support pharmacists working to their full scope of practice.

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