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WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY SPOTLIGHT ON REGIONAL VICTORIAN PHARMACISTS DELIVERING MORE CARE THAN EVER BEFORE

Soda Communications for The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (VIC Branch)

Key Facts:

• World Pharmacists Day is celebrated on 25 September, with Victorian community pharmacists marking the occasion as the number of conditions they can treat has more than doubled over the past 12 months, reaching a total of 23 conditions by mid-next year.
• Conditions now treatable at community pharmacies include uncomplicated urinary tract infections, shingles, mild acne, impetigo, oral contraceptive pill initiation, and mild plaque psoriasis, among others.
• Over 100,000 consultations have been provided to Victorians utilising expanded pharmacy services, with more than 68% of consultations conducted with women, and over 26% of patients coming from regional areas.
• Hundreds of Victorian community pharmacists have undertaken additional postgraduate training to deliver these expanded services, easing pressure on hospitals, GP practices, and the broader healthcare system.
• According to the 7th edition of the Australian Healthcare Index, pharmacists are rated the most trusted health professionals by over 8,000 survey participants, achieving a net promoter score of 44.

This Friday (25 September) is World Pharmacists Day and, for the more than 900 community pharmacies doing more for patients across Victoria, there’s plenty to celebrate.

 

Over the past 12 months, the number of additional common conditions Victorians can access treatment for at their local community pharmacy has more than doubled, with a total of 23 conditions to be available under pharmacists' full scope of practice in Victoria by mid-next year, easing pressure on the healthcare system and making treatment more accessible for all.

 

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch President George Tambassis said everyone wins when you cut wait times for patients.

 

“The theme for this year’s World Pharmacist Day is ‘empowering pharmacists for healthier futures’ and this couldn’t be more relevant for Victorian community pharmacists,” George said.

 

“Some of the conditions we are now able to treat – such as shingles and urinary tract infections – are especially time-sensitive, so being able to start treatment in a timely manner can make all the difference to achieving a more comfortable and favourable outcome for patients.

 

“Hundreds of Victorian community pharmacists have undertaken or enrolled in additional postgraduate training to offer these treatments to their patients.

 

“More than 100,000 consultations have been provided to Victorians who have capitalised on community pharmacy’s flexible opening hours and increased scope, and importantly more than 68% of consultations have been with women, who are finding it easier to put their health first thanks to the availability of safe and convenient healthcare available at their local pharmacy”

 

Victorian pharmacists are now able to treat conditions including:

• uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• shingles
• travel health and other vaccines (including Hepatitis A and B)
• initiation of the oral contraceptive pill
• resupply of select hormonal contraception
• mild acne
• impetigo (school sores)
• acute mild musculoskeletal pain
• mild to moderate dermatitis
• mild plaque psoriasis.

 

Regional community pharmacist Kevin Wu said regional communities are winners given the stress and pressures already felt on regional hospitals and doctors.

 

“The convenience of visiting a local pharmacy saves a significant amount of wait time for treatment, as well as money for regional Victorians, offering an immediate reprieve on the regional healthcare system,” Kevin said.

 

“More than 26 per cent of people using these services are from regional areas, which is considerable given the relative density of regional populations.

 

“We’re a tight-knit community, and many of our customers have been coming to us and trusting us with advice for years. We’re proud to endorse this years’ World Pharmacists Day theme as our scope for treatment expands and we can deliver even more convenient and quality care to our patients.”

 

According to the latest Australian Healthcare Index (7^th edition, 2025), pharmacists are the highest rated health professionals by over 8,000 survey participants on the scale of trust – with a net promoter score of 44.

 

About us:

To find out more about what your local pharmacist can do, visit findapharmacy.com.au.

Contact details:

Chriss Mannix | Soda Communications

E: [email protected]

Mob: 0418 408 035

 

Karen Strahan | Soda Communications

E: [email protected]

Mob: 0417 361 465