NSW government has announced it will introduce a pharmacy reform to expand community healthcare in Willoughby, so residents can access more medications in their local area.
Member for Willoughby Tim James said the ground-breaking reforms aim to relieve pressure on emergency departments and wait times to see a GP by giving the community more access to primary care services.
“With these reforms the community will be able to visit an appropriately trained pharmacist to get a script for things like a urinary tract infection or birth control, easing the burden on our local GPs and reducing wait times for others that require more specialised care,” said Mr James.
The first boost of access to primary care will include authorising pharmacists to administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccinations from 14 November 2022.
These vaccinations include, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Zoster.
NSW government will also fund a 12-month trial to evaluate allowing pharmacists to prescribe medication for urinary tract infections and will support a state wide pilot where appropriately trained pharmacists can prescribe medications for conditions, such as skin ailments, ear infections, and hormonal contraception.
NSW Health will work with pharmacists to support the expansion of the vaccination program with education modules and materials for both themselves and their customers.