Updates
- The Victorian Government is expanding the role of community pharmacists under the Community Pharmacist Program.
- The program allows participating pharmacies to treat some health conditions without the patient needing to have a prescription.
- Over the coming years, additional common health conditions and well-being services will be introduced to the Community Pharmacist Program, bringing the total to 22 services pharmacists can offer.
- The first new services, treatment for impetigo and new hormonal contraceptives, are now available.
- Pharmacists will be able to treat the skin condition impetigo (school sores) in people 2 years and older.
- The oral contraceptive services has been expanded to include two new hormonal contraceptives - depot injections and the hormonal ring. Eligibility has also been expanded.
- The UTI protocol has been updated, to reflect the Therapeutic Guideline's recommendations.
- Most consultations are free for patients. Medication supplied under the Community Pharmacist Program will be at full price.
- From November 2025, the Community Pharmacist Program will be promoted to the Victorian community as Chemist Care Now.
- Participating pharmacists will be informed about new clinical streams and how to prepare as the new services become available.
The Community Pharmacist Program allows Victorians to receive some treatments at a local pharmacy without needing to see a doctor to get a prescription first.
Participating and appropriately trained community pharmacists are able to provide certain Schedule 4 medications under a structured prescribing model for:
- Treatment for shingles
- Treatment for impetigo
- Resupply for treatment of a flare-up of mild plaque psoriasis
- Resupply of select type of hormonal contraception including some oral contraceptive pills, the vaginal ring and the depot injection without a prescription
- Treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections
In addition, participating pharmacist immunisers can provide some vaccinations for travel(opens in a new window) and other health vaccines including hepatitis A(opens in a new window), hepatitis B(opens in a new window), poliomyelitis(opens in a new window) and typhoid(opens in a new window).
Updated