From 12 July, thousands of people with common skin conditions will be able to receive treatment from their pharmacist under the next phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial.
Eligible people can visit a participating pharmacy to be treated by an appropriately trained pharmacist for impetigo (school sores), shingles, mild to moderate eczema and mild plaque psoriasis.
Under the trial, patients will not have to pay for the consultation, but will pay for the cost of medicines they receive as part of their treatment.
The University of Newcastle is leading the trial in association with the University of Technology Sydney, University of New England, Charles Sturt University, The George Institute for Global Health and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, peak bodies, and other professional organisations.
For the duration of the trial, participating pharmacies will be remunerated for each skin condition consultation they provide to avoid patients paying a fee for the service.
The trial will close on 28 February 2025, or when the maximum number of trial-supported consultations has been reached.
It follows in the footsteps of the urinary tract infection (UTI) and oral contraceptive pill trials. Since 1 June 2024, authorised pharmacies and pharmacists can now offer the UTI service as part of usual business. All pharmacy trials will undergo a detailed evaluation in 2025.
Pharmacy recruitment has commenced, initially focussing on those who participated in previous UTI and oral contraceptive pill trials. Once enrolled, pharmacists must undergo the required additional training and ensure pharmacy spaces meet the requirements of the authority.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“We know how difficult it is to access a GP – there were fewer GPs in NSW in 2023 than there were in 2018 - that's why we're making it easier for people to gain access to simple treatments and the medications they need for non-complex conditions.
“We're doing this by empowering pharmacists to consult and provide medications – we've done this for urinary tract infections as well as the resupply of oral contraceptive pill.
“And soon, this initiative will expand to certain minor skin conditions.
“Thousands of people in NSW experience common skin conditions and anyone who has had or cared for someone with one of these conditions knows how uncomfortable they can be.
“The findings from the trial will help to inform the services and models of care pharmacists can provide in future."
Quotes attributable to Pharmacy Guild NSW Branch President David Heffernan:
“This will make a real difference for patients. The success of the UTI trial shows that people value options for affordable, accessible everyday healthcare."
“This trial will mean more accessible everyday healthcare, taking pressure off hospital emergency departments and freeing up GPs to treat more complex conditions."
“Community pharmacies across NSW are ready to do more to help provide patients with primary health care they need."