In 2024, it will be easier for people suffering from certain skin conditions to access prescription medicines, as part of the NSW Government's pharmacy prescribing trial.
It marks the next phase of the trial which sees participating pharmacists authorised to supply certain medicines without a prescription, after having a consultation with a pharmacist.
The trial is designed to safely expand the capacity of pharmacists in order to relieve pressure on general practitioners and other primary care settings.
From late March next year, pending ethics approval, the trial will include treatments for impetigo (school sores) and shingles.
Impetigo is a relatively minor condition but one that disproportionately impacts First Nations and Pasifika children. Recurrent infections of it can lead to increased risk of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).
One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Pharmacists will be able to provide first line medicines for the management of straightforward herpes zoster (shingles) in patients over the age of 18.
Under the trial, additional topical treatments for dermatitis and mild plaque psoriasis will also be included.
In May, the Minister for Health Ryan Park announced the commencement of stage one of the initiative, which trialled the prescribing of treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) at 100 participating pharmacies.
In September, it expanded to more than 900 pharmacies and extended the trial to the prescribing of the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).
The trial has now expanded to over 1,100 community pharmacies – or around 60 per cent of pharmacies around the state.
More than 6,000 women have benefited from this trial so far with improved access to essential health care and improving timely access to care.
The skin condition treatment component of the trial will run for 12 months.
More information about the clinical trial and for a list of community pharmacies participating in the trial, is available at NSW Pharmacy Trial.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Everyone knows it is sometimes difficult to get in to see our very busy GPs.
“And people know where to find a pharmacy and this trial offers patients who can't see their GP another treatment pathway.'
“Through this trial, we are making it easier and more convenient for people to access the medications they need but working hard to ensure their care is not fragmented.
“By bolstering the capacity of pharmacies, we can take pressure off other parts of our primary care system, so that those who need them can access them.
“Where we can do things better, we should, and these are the kind of innovative initiatives that I am keen for our health system to embrace."