The Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has announced that the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot will be expanded statewide, allowing pharmacists to administer a wider range of vaccines and prescribe medicines for common health conditions. Speaking at the FIP World Congress in Brisbane yesterday, Minister Fentiman confirmed that participating pharmacists will be able to administer more types of vaccines and prescribe treatments such as the oral contraceptive pill, asthma medication, nausea and vomiting medication. Further, pharmacists will be able to prescribe treatments for nasal congestion, runny noses, mild skin conditions, some heart disease issues, and smoking cessation. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Qld President Shane MacDonald welcomed the govt’s announcement. “Qld has often led the nation on pharmacist scope of practice, and other jurisdictions are watching the results of trials and following suit.” The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Qld branch Acting President Rick Xynias added, “today’s announcement demonstrates that Qld is leading the way for community pharmacists to practice to their full scope, which demonstrates the latent potential of community pharmacists playing a larger role within the state’s primary healthcare network. While the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey commented the pilot will take pressure off over-stretched Emergency Departments, which means better health outcomes across the healthcare system. “We are completing tertiary-level education and practical training to provide patients with access to safe healthcare treatment and services. “This announcement also brings us in line with Canada, Wales, England and New Zealand.” JG