NSW leads nation: universities to deliver full-scope pharmacist training by 2026

President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch, Mario Barone, described the announcement as a game-changer to patients and the profession.

“By embedding a nationally consistent curriculum of full-scope training in our universities, we’re ensuring the next generation of pharmacists are ready to deliver expert, accessible care across 23 conditions, including reflux, acute nausea, allergies, asthma, hypertension and oral contraception,” Mr Barone said.

“With two universities offering the training, more universities than any other state, we will have more students being trained and more qualified prescribers than any other state by the end of 2026. NSW is setting the pace for the nation.”

“This is a major win for NSW Pharmacy and the communities it serves.”

Speaking at Pharmacy Connect 2025, the Premier of NSW Chris Minns also announced the following reforms:

• Permanent treatment authority for dermatological conditions including shingles, impetigo, dermatitis and psoriasis
• The NSW Government is assessing ways to improve community access to antiviral medications to treat influenza, including through pharmacy

“These reforms align with our national strategic plan, Towards 2035, which aims for 80% of community pharmacies delivering full- scope services and 80% of pharmacists qualified to prescribe by 2035,” Mr Barone added.