Pharmacy pilot expands

Premier Jacinta Allan, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and pharmacist Kathy Mougios (right) at the Gisborne Priceline Pharmacy with staff (supplied).

More Macedon pharmacies are joining a pilot program to treat Victorians seeking help for mild and common skin conditions

Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the expansion of the Community Pharmacy Pilot on February 21.

From early March 729 pharmacies will be able to treat mild psoriasis or shingles, as part of the next phase. Ms Allan said the pilot program is helping thousands of people across the state.

“It just makes sense to be able to pop down to your local pharmacy to get treatment for everyday conditions and basic health care needs,” she said.

“Our pilot program is helping thousands of women do just that.”

This announcement comes amid new data revealing more than 3700 Victorians, who are overwhelmingly women, have already accessed care at a pharmacy since the start of the pilot.

The state government said 27 per cent of the participating pharmacies are in regional Victoria.

According to the government’s release, about 2000 women have sought care and antibiotics to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and about 1300 women got a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill.

Meanwhile, about 400 Victorians have accessed the in-pharmacy travel health and vaccination consultations.

Macedon pharmacies in the program include: Hardy’s UFS Pharmacy, Lancefield Pharmacy,

Malmsbury Pharmacy, Priceline Pharmacy Gisborne, Riddells Creek Pharmacy, Romsey Pharmacy, Terry White Chemmart Kyneton, Terry White Chemmart Woodend and Trentham Pharmacy.