“Community pharmacists already do a lot more than dispense medicine,” said Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia. “We know community pharmacy is the most accessible frontline healthcare destination in Australia. Anyone can visit their local pharmacy and receive expert healthcare advice, support and treatment.
“Community pharmacists support those with asthma from their very first prescription when they share the proper inhalation technique and help with medication reviews.
“In Queensland, and soon in the Northern Territory, community pharmacists can also provide asthma management plans, support patients to adjust their doses and making sure their asthma remains under control.
“Community pharmacists can – and must - play a bigger role in supporting those with asthma. State and Territory governments need to unlock the healthcare potential of community pharmacy.
This follows a successful pilot which saw community pharmacists undertake additional training across a range of medical specialisms. Those that have finished this training are able to offer additional services, including managing skin conditions, and treating everyday health conditions.
Patients across Australia are already able to access treatment for uncomplicated UTI at community pharmacy. UTI’s are the second highest preventable hospital admission and more than half of women will have a UTI in their lifetime.
“Asthma is a chronic condition that affects nearly 2.8mn Australians of all ages from childhood to adulthood. With the right management, people with asthma can control their condition. Regular check-ups with your GP and working with your community pharmacist can help keep symptoms under control. In particular, we want to see a focus on the smarter use of oral steroids, to ensure complications and side effects are minimised,” said Asthma Australia CEO Kate Miranda.
Asthma Australia and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia recently worked together to secure a historic reduction in the general co-payment for prescriptions. From January 2026 the maximum cost of PBS prescriptions for those with asthma will be decreasing from $31.60 to $25.
“This is only the second time in 75 years that the co-payment had been reduced,” Professor Twomey said. “It will benefit more than 20 million Australians who don’t hold a concession card. Over four years, this puts $689 million back in the pockets of patients.”
There are more than 6,000 community pharmacies in Australia which conveniently open longer hours and into the weekend. In 332 towns across Australia community pharmacies are the only healthcare destination and 74% of Australians live within 2.5km of a community pharmacy.
Community pharmacies expanding the range of services and treatments they offer. Patients can visit Find a Pharmacy to find services and treatments available at community pharmacy across Australia.