Pharmacist scope expansion a game changer for Tasmanian patients
16 May 2025
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s expansion to pharmacist scope of practice, giving Tasmanians experiencing specified conditions access to greater care from their local pharmacist.
Announced as part of the upcoming 2025-26 Budget, the Tasmanian Government is investing $5 million to fund post-graduate training for pharmacists to deliver expanded care and establishing an Australian-first aged care pharmacist collaborative prescribing pilot program.
Trained pharmacists will be credentialed to be able to assess and treat acute ear infections, reflux, skin conditions such as shingles and eczema, rhinitis, and provide wound care, relieving unnecessary pressure on other parts of Tasmania’s health system.
PSA Tasmania President Joanne Gross MPS CredPharm (MMR) said the move marked significant progress in realising the full potential of pharmacists to support timely access to essential health care in Tasmania’s health system.
“As highly accessible and skilled practitioners, pharmacists are ideally placed to provide greater breadth of care to our communities,” Ms Gross said.
“Tasmanians know our health system is under immense pressure and recognise that all health professionals need to practice to their full ability in order for care to be available when it’s most needed.
“Building on the success of the UTI treatment program, pharmacists will be able to provide care to Tasmanians when and where they need it– providing timely assessment of patients with prompt treatment and, where needed, facilitating referrals to others in the health system if required for management of the acute presentation or ongoing care.
“The training pharmacists undertake is evidence-based and comprehensive, facilitating consistent and clinically appropriate care regardless of whether a patient seeks it from a pharmacist or another health care provider.
“Choice in how you access care is an important part of patient-centred care. As pharmacists we’re proud to be able to provide timely, high-quality care to patients, and to work collaboratively with our medical and nursing colleagues to relieve pressure on our health system.
“I sincerely thank Minister Roger Jaensch and the Tasmanian Government for their leadership in delivering care options that work for our state. PSA looks forward to working closely with the government and our medical and nursing colleagues to establish the aged care collaborative prescribing pilot, further strengthening care for our oldest Tasmanians,” Ms Gross concluded.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
