The commencement on Fri of the Victorian Community Pharmacist Prescribing Pilot means participating community pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for women experiencing an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Community pharmacists can also repeat the supply of oral contraceptives (PD 04 Aug). “Patients will now be able to access safe and timely treatment for everyday conditions and basic healthcare needs from appropriately trained community pharmacists,” said Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Vic Branch committee member, Megan Kazantzis. “The pilot framework ensures collaboration between a patient, their pharmacist and GP through active communication and referrals, meaning patients will have more options for getting timely access to treatment,” said Kazantzis. The Vic Community Pharmacist Prescribing Pilot will later expand to also include the treatment of select minor skin conditions. Pharmacist immunisers participating in the pilot will also soon be able to administer select travel vaccines following the completion of additional training. There will be no charge for patients to see a participating community pharmacist to receive care under the pilot, said Kazantzis. If medications are required, the cost to the patient would be no more than if they had received prescription from a GP, she added. To participate in the Victorian Community Pharmacy Prescribing Pilot, community pharmacists are required to meet certain criteria, including having a consulting room at the pharmacy, and completing mandatory training for each of the piloted services they will be providing, follow other protocols and guidelines (PD 20 Oct and PD 25 Oct). Following the 12-month Vic Community Pharmacy Prescribing Pilot, an evaluation will take place with recommendations informing future scope of practice for community pharmacists in Vic, reported the Guild. JG