Pharmacists step up: no doctor needed

Yarrawonga pharmacist, Russell Ingram said the pilot had been beneficial for rural pharmacies and he hoped it would continue on a long-term basis.

“Customers who come in to utilise these services have been very grateful,” Russell said.

“They were able to be treated quickly rather than go through the process of booking a doctor's appointment.”

The pilot was implemented to help take the strain off of doctor’s clinics across Victoria and aims to increase access to affordable primary health care, quickly and locally.

Community pharmacists have broadened under the pilot, and are now equipped to treat prescribe oral contraceptive pills and treat illnesses like shingles, common flu-like symptoms, plaque psoriasis and urinary tract infections without a visit to the doctor.

“Hopefully with feedback from the community and health professionals involved, the government makes these programs permanent,” Russell said.

“We can make people’s lives a little bit simpler with these healthcare services.”