PSA congratulates Lia Finocchiaro and the Country Liberal Party on their election in the Northern Territory
30 August 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) warmly congratulates Hon Lia Finocchiaro MLA and the Country Liberal Party (CLP) on being elected to government in the Northern Territory.
PSA welcomes the CLP’s plan to expand pharmacy services in the community through the Pharmacy Scope of Practice program, which will offer additional health services for up to 21 conditions.
PSA also applauds the incoming government’s commitment to implement pharmacist prescribing for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in women, within the first 100 days of government, bringing the Northern Territory in line with other Australian jurisdictions.
PSA Northern Territory and South Australia Vice President Colleen Niland MPS welcomed the commitment, and encouraged pharmacists to pursue the appropriate training, equipping them with everything they need to provide these services”
“Empowering pharmacists to prescribe treatment for UTIs improves access to care, improves health outcomes across the Territory, particularly for rural and regional communities where access to healthcare services can be limited,” Ms Niland said.
PSA’s online training program Managing uncomplicated cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection)is available now for pharmacists.
By expanding scope, pharmacists can support primary healthcare services through timely and convenient access with community pharmacists able to treat other conditions like impetigo (school sores), travel health, smoking cessation and more.
PSA is committed to working closely with the NT Government to ensure the program best meets the needs of Territorians and pharmacists have access to the necessary additional training.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS also welcomed the announcements.
“Allowing pharmacists to practise to their full and top of scope makes efficient use of health resources, benefitting the broader health system.”
“Our health system is under pressure. The time is now to look at innovative models of care where the skillsets of all health professionals, including pharmacists, can be fully utilised to build overall health system capacity as we continue to support our population’s health.
PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS is encouraging pharmacists to undertake training in anticipation of their expanding roles.
“Throughout scope expansion across the country, whether it is assessment and prescribing for management of UTIs, oral contraception or other acute and chronic condition management programs, PSA has been supporting pharmacists along the way,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“PSA is committed to focusing on workforce preparation, including training, education, practice support and upskilling of pharmacists to undertake and deliver these services.
“PSA looks forward to working with the NT Government as part of a collaborative approach to workforce preparation.”
Pharmacists in 2030 is available to pharmacists and the public at www.psa.org.au/pharmacists_in_2030
