PSA welcomes the expansion of the Victorian Community Pharmacy Program to include impetigo treatment and new hormonal contraceptives

19 December 2025 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates the Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, on the announcement regarding the expansion of the Victorian Community Pharmacy Program.

 

Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, has today announced the expansion of the Victorian Community Pharmacy Program to include impetigo (school sores) in individuals 24 months and older, and hormonal contraceptive continuation, extending beyond oral contraceptives to include depot injection and hormonal ring contraceptives.

 

The expansion will provide enhanced convenience, allowing patients, including parents, to access impetigo treatment for those over 24 months of age and improve access for those continuing hormonal contraception, including injections and rings, without the need for a prescription from the GP.

 

This expansion will raise the total number of common health services available in community pharmacies to six. All additional service consultations will be available at no patient cost, funded by the Victorian Government.

 

PSA Victorian President, Atinuke Abraham FPS, applauds this expansion, which empowers community pharmacists to deliver more comprehensive and accessible care.

 

“This expansion improves access to safe and effective health care for Victorians, complementing the existing services for uncomplicated UTIs, shingles, plaque psoriasis, and travel health,” she said.

 

“We look forward to additional common health conditions and well-being services being introduced to the Victorian Community Pharmacist Program as soon as possible.

 

“Victoria’s approach to pharmacist-led consultations is grounded in equity of access for patients, including through funding of pharmacist consultations.

 

“With PSA’s training formally recognised by the Victorian government earlier this month, it’s an exciting time to be a pharmacist in Victoria. We encourage Victorian community pharmacists to enrol in PSA’s prescribing course to be ready to deliver safe, evidence-based prescribing in line with state protocols.”

 

To enrol in PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training program, visit this link.    

 

 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen   

M: 0480 099 798   E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.