New medications added to pharmacy prescribing

The Victorian Government has expanded its Community Pharmacist Program further to make two more hormonal contraceptives, as well as a treatment for impetigo, available at pharmacies without a prescription.
 
These add to the growing list of medical services pharmacists can now provide, following the State Government’s permanent adoption of the program last year.
 
As announced late last year, Victoria’s pharmacists can now treat the skin condition impetigo (school sores) in people aged two years and older.
 
Additionally, the injectable depot and the vaginal ring are now available for resupply, without patients needing a prescription.
 
Pharmacists will also be able to provide a resupply of hormone replacement therapy without a prescription, to be rolled out in 2026.
 
Announcing the expansion, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas labelled the additions a ‘gamechanger’.
 
‘We’re expanding Chemist Care Now so pharmacists can treat more conditions – making it easier for Victorians to get the care they need without a visit to the GP,’ she said.
 
The Victorian Health Department added that over the coming years, ‘additional common health conditions and wellbeing services will be introduced to the Community Pharmacist Program’, bringing the total to 22 services pharmacists can offer.
 
The program, now promoted as Chemist Care Now to consumers, was made permanent last year following the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, which ran from October 2023 to July 2025.
 
The Victorian Department of Health said the program has now delivered more than 62,000 services from more than 800 pharmacies throughout Victoria.
 
While the State Government says the program helps Victorians to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor ‘while freeing up GPs to see people with more complex conditions’, the RACGP remains deeply opposed to it.
 
The college argues the increasing national trend of pharmacy prescribing is risking patient safety and fragmenting care, particularly in the face of growing global antimicrobial resistance.
 
The Victorian Government said participating pharmacists in the Community Pharmacist Program will be able to undertake short-form training to deliver each new service.
 
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