Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot

giving patients timely access to qualified healthcare professionals to treat everyday health conditions.

Learn more

If you are experiencing
any of the following
call triple zero (000) immediately*:

central or crushing chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes
unconsciousness or a seizure (fit)
severe difficulty breathing or turning blue
severe bleeding or Inabilty to control bleeding with pressure
sudden inability to move or speak, or sudden facial drooping
the effects of a severe accident.

Pharmacists participating in the Pilot are qualified to practice and prescribe medicines

4 years of an accredited university degree
1-year internship in a community pharmacy
2 registration exams
continuing annual professional development relevant to their scope of practice
participating pharmacists will complete up to 12-months of postgraduate training, part of which is currently used by other health professionals learning to prescribe.*

*Denotes a pharmacist participating in the Pilot

Proven success: pharmacy prescribing models of care is not a new concept

decades of proven implementation and continuous refinement.
aligned with established international standards.
a time-tested approach, delivering exceptional healthcare services.

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The future of pharmacy is changing

A History Of Full Scope
Pharmacist Prescribing

2003

Pharmacists in the United Kingdom given prescribing rights after the success of nurse practitioners prescribing.¹

Irish regulations amended to allow pharmacists to prescribe specific prescription-only medicines in emergencies or when patients couldn’t access their prescriber for timely medication supply.²

References:
1. A brief history of pharmacist prescribing in the UK | European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (bmj.com)
2. Regulation 8 of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003
https://www.thepsi.ie/gns/inspection-enforcement/inspections/InspectorsAdvice/AdviceEmergencySupply.aspx

2007

In Canada, the province of Alberta was the first to approve a prescribing model that introduced three categories of prescribing, including independent prescribing.³ Other provinces quickly followed with various forms of prescribing legislation in place in seven other provinces by October 2009.⁴

References:
3. a. Evolution in the practice of pharmacy—not a revolution! | CMAJ
3. b. Evolution in the practice of pharmacy—not a revolution. CMAJ April 2007
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-50247-8_73-1
4. Independent pharmacist prescribing in Canada 2012
i1913-701X-145-1-17.pdf (nih.gov)

2012

The New Zealand Ministry of Health introduces a pharmacy-based urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment service, through reclassification of trimethoprim antibiotic, allowing pharmacists to diagnose and treat women with uncomplicated UTIs.⁵

References:
5. Improving access to urinary tract infection treatment: SelfCare 2012
Trimethoprim relassification.indd (selfcarejournal.com)

2020

Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot introduced in Queensland.⁶

References:
6. The management of urinary tract infections by community pharmacists: A state-wide trial: Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland (Outcome Report)
The management of urinary tract infections by community pharmacists: A state-wide trial: Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland (Outcome Report) | QUT ePrints

2021

In New Zealand, designated pharmacist prescribers can now prescribe, within a multidisciplinary team, nearly 200 medicines, enabling New Zealanders better access to medicines.⁷

References:
7. Pharmacist prescribers can now prescribe more medicines – Manatu Hauora – 2021
https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/pharmacist-prescribers-can-now-prescribe-more-medicines

2022

Urinary Tract Infection Community Pharmacy Service becomes permanent service in Queensland.⁸

Queensland Government gives green light for scope of practice pilot in North Queensland community pharmacies.⁹

NSW Government announces commitment to expand scope of practice for pharmacists in their state.¹⁰

Victorian Government commits to a prescribing pilot for UTI treatment and contraceptive repeats.¹¹

Northern Territory Government takes initial steps required for community pharmacists to provide more services across the territory.¹²

References:
8. Queensland Government Media Statement – July 2022
Queensland women guaranteed greater access to treatment for UTIs – Ministerial Media Statements
9. Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Nov 2022
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/forefront/v12n11/green-light-for-scope-of-practice-pilot
10. NSW Health 2022
Pharmacy reform to expand community health care – News (nsw.gov.au)
11. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Nov 2023
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/vic/community-pharmacy-uti-pilot-and-repeat-contraceptive-prescribing-a-win-for-victorian-patients
12. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Nov 2022
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/nt/win-for-nt-patients-as-community-pharmacists-to-provide-more-services

2023

In Canada, Ontario pharmacists finally receive authority to diagnose and prescribe medications to patients for minor ailments and contraception, almost 16 years after Alberta. British Columbia follows closely behind.¹³

References:
13. Ontario college of pharmacists – Jan 2023

2023 March

North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot Cohort 1 pharmacists start their graduate-level training.¹⁴

References:
14. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia media release – March 2023
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/qld/first-cohort-of-community-pharmacists-embarks-on-university-course-today-for-the-north-queensland-community-pharmacy-scope-of-practice-pilot

2023 June

Victorian Government allows pharmacists to treat minor skin conditions and reissue oral contraceptives and medication for uncomplicated UTIs.¹⁵

References:
15. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia media release – June 2023
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/forefront/v13n06/victorian-scope-of-practice-pilot-welcomed

2023 July

NSW UTI treatment trial begins, with the oral contraceptives prescription renewal program set to begin later in the year.¹⁶

References:
16. NSW Health – July 2023
NSW Pharmacy Trial – Pharmaceutical services

2023 August

North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot Cohort 2 Pharmacists start their graduate-level education and training.¹⁷

References:
17. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – March 2023
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vHkShO3et9m0ANWXASZSSfYBDDPGo-sG/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118271098464595964044&rtpof=true&sd=true
https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/womens-health-in-focus-as-part-of-pharmacy-reforms

2023 September

Tasmanian Government announces pharmacists will be able to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs.¹⁸

Minister for Health Queensland, Shannon Fentiman, announces Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot statewide.¹⁹

References:
18. Guy Barnett, Minister for Health, 14 September 2023
https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/womens-health-in-focus-as-part-of-pharmacy-reforms
19. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – May 2023
https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/qld/the-pharmacy-guild-of-australia,-queensland-welcomes-new-appointment-the-hon.-shannon-fentiman,-minister-for-health-and-ambulance-services

2024

First occasion of service under the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.

2024 April

Queensland community pharmacies have now begun offering services to patients under the Queensland Community Scope of Practice Pilot

Read the media release to find out more.

What extra services will be provided by
qualified community pharmacists?

Here are some of the everyday health conditions and chronic disease
management services your community pharmacist is able to provide.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Travel health

Nausea and vomiting

Earache

Mild musculoskeletal pain and inflammation

Reflux and heartburn

Hormonal contraception

Minor wound management

Skin conditions and rashes

School sores (impetigo)

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) non-allergic rhinitis

Help to quit smoking

Improved asthma symptom program and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) monitoring program

Cardiovascular disease risk reduction program

Treatments and management for overweight and obesity

Oral health screening and fluoride application

Find out more

Treatment for uncomplicated UTI
- a permanent health service for women in Queensland

In 2018 the Department of Health Queensland endorsed the development of a pilot following trained community pharmacists to provide appropriate treatment for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Thanks to the success of the pilot, women in Queensland now have access to immediate advice and treatment, including the supply of antibiotics when appropriate, through their local participating community pharmacy.

FACT - Pharmacists are medicine experts and primary healthcare professionals whose core objective is to put their patients first. On top of their 4 year university accredited degree, pharmacists complete a 1-year internship in a community pharmacy and undertake further intern study requirements, 2 registration exams, and annual continuous professional development. Participating pharmacists will complete up to a 12-month postgraduate training course, which is currently used by other health professionals learning to prescribe. Many Queensland community pharmacists are already providing diagnosis and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

Under the auspices of the Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University and the Australasian College of Pharmacy, participating pharmacists will undertake graduate certificate level, evidenced-based training, which is currently used in other Australian non-medical prescribing pathways.

FACT - Recent research in North Queensland shows that half of North Queenslanders with chronic medical diseases and conditions often can't see their regular GP, with access problems made even worse by COVID-19. Additionally, 67% of participants in the survey did not regularly visit their GP, with 35% visiting less than every six months. The reason? Often more than a third are waiting over a week for an appointment.

It’s simple. Australians need better access to primary healthcare.

If a patient can receive healthcare in a timely manner by their local community pharmacist, this may prevent them waiting weeks to see their GP or presenting to the emergency department. This will also support GPs by having greater capacity to have appointments (including longer consultations) available to see their patients with more complex needs.

FACT - In terms of healthcare costs, the Pilot would mean a reduction in costs as predicted in the 2020 Ernst & Young (EY) report titled ‘Scope of Practice Opportunity Assessment’. The report concluded that by community pharmacists working to their full scope, it would result in:

$63 million per year in savings in avoided public healthcare costs.
$176 million per year in savings for State and Federal Governments in avoided costs through better treatment of minor ailments and conditions; and
$9 million per year for the implementation of better medicine and treatment practices for chronic conditions.

FACT - Full scope is not a new concept – it’s been around for decades. As an example, in Canada and the United Kingdom, community pharmacies manage common ambulatory conditions, including ailments such as urinary tract infections, back pain and eczema. In Canada and Scotland, pharmacists’ scope of practice includes prescription renewal and the management of the ongoing supply of prescribed medicines for stable, chronic conditions without the need to unnecessarily returning to the prescriber.

Case study - Wales

The Welsh government's ambition is for every pharmacy in Wales to have an independent prescriber by 2030
Aim is to support a ‘community pharmacy first’ model of care, to reduce the number of patients consulting their GP for conditions that can be appropriately managed in the community pharmacy setting.
Builds on the success of 33 community pharmacies in Wales who have delivered more than 16,000 consultations through independent prescribing (IP) service up until June 2021.
Agreed conditions include – Herpes Zoster, Otitis Media, COPD exacerbation, respiratory tract infections, impetigo, UTI, Gout, asthma exacerbation, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, vertigo.

FACT - No - nothing could be further from the truth. Pharmacists work collaboratively with their local GP each and every day. Nothing will replace a GP, but we know ‘Doctor Block’ is a real issues. Recent research in North Queensland revealed that more than a third of vulnerable minorities in North Queensland – including people with a disability, First Nations people and culturally and linguistically diverse people – have had to go to emergency due to lack of general practitioner (GP) access. The Pilot will see a pharmacists' scope of practice remain significantly narrower than both a GP and a nurse practitioner. This Pilot recognises that there are some conditions that could be triaged appropriately in a community pharmacy setting.

Resources

Department of Health, Queensland

Pharmacy Health services

Community health hub

References

Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot

giving patients timely access to qualified healthcare professionals to treat everyday health conditions.

If you are experiencing any of the following call triple zero (000) immediately*:

Pharmacists participating in the Pilot are qualified to practice and prescribe medicines

Proven success: pharmacy prescribing models of care is not a new concept

Subscribe for updates!

Enter your details below to subscribe for Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot updates.

Thank you for subscribing, we'll be in touch with updates as the Pilot progresses.

Jump to:

The future of pharmacy is changing

A History Of Full ScopePharmacist Prescribing

What extra services will be provided by qualified community pharmacists?

Treatment for uncomplicated UTI - a permanent health service for women in Queensland

MYTH - Pharmacists don’t have the skills to provide additional services

MYTH - Full scope services won’t provide patients with better, more timely access to care

MYTH - The cost savings will be negligible

MYTH - Full scope is a new concept

MYTH - Pharmacists are trying to replace GPs