Tasmanian Branch President Joe O’Malley said that community pharmacies were providing accessible, affordable healthcare for Tasmanians every day.
“Community pharmacies want to do even more for their patients, and this commitment to expanding community pharmacists’ scope of practice, including supporting the training and making these conditions permanent practice, will mean more access to care for more Tasmanians,” Mr O’Malley said.
“Enabling appropriately trained community pharmacists to treat more than twenty health conditions, in line with Queensland, is a massive win for patients.
“It will free up primary care appointments and enable Tasmanians to access more care closer to where they live.”
Tasmanian Labor’s policy commitments will also increase access to vaccinations and ensure Tasmanians who receive care from interstate health professionals can get their scripts filled by their local community pharmacy.
“Aligning Tasmania’s vaccination regulations with South Australia’s will mean community pharmacies can provide more vaccines for patients.
“This, plus moves to finally reform interstate prescriptions, are commonsense initiatives that the Guild welcomes,” said Mr O’Malley.
Mr O’Malley also welcomed Tasmanian Labor’s commitments to enable appropriately trained community pharmacists to initiate and supply hormonal contraception for Tasmanian women, maintain and strengthen ownership regulations for Tasmanian pharmacies, and deliver an after-hours care grants program.
“These policies represent a strong commitment to community pharmacy and the patients we serve.