General News
27 January, 2026
Bringing more treatment options to locals
For many locals feeling under the weather, the local pharmacy is often the first port of call, and new changes mean pharmacists can now provide even more support close to home. As part of the Chemist Care Now from the Government Community Pharmacy Program, additional treatments have been added, expanding the range of conditions pharmacists can treat without the need for a GP visit. The new services include treatment for impetigo (school sores) and the resupply of two additional hormonal contraceptives, the vaginal ring and the contraceptive injection (depot injection).
The expansion builds on an already extensive list of services available through participating pharmacies, including treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), resupply of the oral contraceptive pill, care for psoriasis, shingles treatment, travel consultations and a wide range of vaccinations, including hepatitis A and B.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is also set to be added to the program next year.
Jason Hosemans from Ararat’s Bloom’s The Chemist said the program has already made a significant difference for patients.
“It’s very good. Obviously, we were already doing therapy for UTIs for women between 18 and 60, as well as psoriasis and shingles,” Mr Hoseman said.
He said the expanded scope of practice not only improves access to timely care but also reduces costs for patients by limiting unnecessary trips to the doctor for prescriptions.
“Infections are time critical. The sooner you get onto them, the sooner you treat them, the better the results,” he said.
“We see people looking for UTI relief, and we can say, ‘hang on, we can actually give you the antibiotics to fix the issue rather than just treat the symptoms.’ That’s huge, because if it’s not treated, it can lead to hospitalisation.”
Mr Hosemans said pharmacists are now able to manage a range of straightforward conditions safely and efficiently.
“Basic skin infections, we can address that,” he said.
“Gradually expanding the scope of practice, the big extension is prescriptions and antibiotics.”
This will include ear infections and similar conditions treatment, which Mr Hoseman said the staff are starting training for over the next 12 months.
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