1 June 2024: The trial enabling participating pharmacists to provide treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) ended on 31 May 2024.
From 1 June 2024, any pharmacy and pharmacist in NSW that meet the requirements and operates in accordance with the new Class Authority and Practice Standards can choose to provide the UTI service.
Visit the Pharmacist UTI treatment page for more information.
The NSW Pharmacy trial allows appropriately trained pharmacists to provide important medications and treatments, which usually only available with a prescription.
The trial is run by the University of Newcastle in association with the University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, University of New England, Charles Sturt University, The George Institute for Global Health and the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
The trial will ensure patient safety is promoted while allowing for the gathering of robust data. The findings from this trial will inform the role of pharmacists and pharmacies in our healthcare system.
As part of the NSW Pharmacy trial participating pharmacists:
As part of the trial, specific eligibility criteria are in place to ensure patients receive appropriate care.
Patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria must be referred to appropriate care which could be, their GP or a hospital emergency department.
Pharmacists must refer to clinical management protocols when assessing a person’s eligibility, assessment and overall management, which may include referral to a GP or an Emergency Department.
To receive an extended supply of the oral contraceptive pill, patients must:
The patient is eligible if they have run out of repeats or their prescription has expired, as long as they meet the above criteria.
The trial team will provide additional guidance around inclusion criteria and screening questions for each phase of the trial you are accepted to participate in.
Pharmacists must only provide these services to eligible patients. Only pharmacists participating in the trial can provide these services.
To ensure safe clinical care and familiarity with the specific requirements of the trial, all participating pharmacists must complete mandatory training before providing any services.
The trial team will provide you with guidance on training requirements once your participation is confirmed.
Participating pharmacists must comply with the Authority allowing pharmacists to supply medications (Oral contraceptive pill).
The Authority to supply medications extends only to pharmacists who are participating in the trial.
For questions specifically relating to the research trial, please refer to the FAQ document on the NSW Health website or email NSWPharmacyTrial@newcastle.edu.au.
The NSW Pharmacy Trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). View the Trial registration.
Frequently asked questions: Oral contraceptive pill and the NSW Pharmacy Trial.
