News
21 February, 2025
Pharmacy boost
The Australian Government has announced a new women’s health initiative in Community Pharmacy, focusing on improving access to treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and hormonal contraception.
Addressing key healthcare challenges faced by women, the program aligns with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s commitment to ensuring quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all Australians.
“The advancement of women’s health is vital to the health of our nation, our daughters, sisters, and mothers,” said National President, Professor Trent Twomey. “With over 6,000 community pharmacies across Australia, we are uniquely positioned to provide convenient and high-quality healthcare services to women in urban, regional, and remote areas.”
Eligible women and girls will be able to receive treatment for an uncomplicated urinary tract infection and will be able to receive initiation and ongoing supply for hormonal contraception from their local community pharmacy. Women with a concession card will be able to obtain a free private consultation with a highly trained community pharmacist for the treatment of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection and, where clinically appropriate, be prescribed a short course of antibiotics.
Critically important to the Australian Government’s Women’s Package, women with a concession card will also be able to obtain a free private consultation with a highly trained community pharmacist for the initiation and ongoing supply of hormonal contraception and have the choice of oral contraception, depots, and vaginal rings.
This announcement builds on positive patient experiences across state and territory programs which enable women to receive treatment at community pharmacy for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and hormonal contraception in Queensland.
Training for this program is already in place from the Australasian College of Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Importantly, the training from Queensland and Northern Territory, together with their existing clinical protocols and guidelines, will be rolled out nationally to ensure harmonization and consistency.
All consultations during the initiative will be paid through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA). All medications prescribed during the initiative will be paid via PBS Online, meaning less red tape and a quicker commencement.
Community pharmacies stand ready to commence services from 1 July 2025.
