Since March, there have been more than 5000 visits to a pharmacy for uncomplicated UTI treatment.
The President of the Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Joe O'Malley joined Tasmanian Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Roger Jaensch and Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Jo Palmer at a community pharmacy to mark this milestone.
Joe O'Malley said "This is a patient-focused program that is all about delivering more services for Tasmanian women - more services, when they need it, close to where they live," Mr O'Malley said.
"We thank the Government for their collaboration on this great program, which shows what is possible when community pharmacy is supported to provide services for Tasmanians."
The Guild has consistently advocated for programs to treat uncomplicated UTIs in community pharmacies.
The program commenced in Tasmania earlier this year, and now women in every Australian state and territory can access UTI treatment in a pharmacy. UTIs are the second most common preventable hospitalisation and nearly 1 in 2 women will suffer one in their lifetime.
Mr O'Malley continued, "There is no doubt this program has already saved hundreds of GP appointments and potential hospitalisations since it began - not to mention the support for thousands of Tasmanian women who have been able to access healthcare when they need it, which saves them money and time - so we will keep working with the Government on expanding community pharmacy's scope of practice."
(L-R) Tasmanian Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Roger Jaensch with Tasmanian Branch President Joe O’Malley, pharmacist John Dowling and Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Jo Palmer marking 5000 occasions of service in the treatment of UTIs in Tasmania at TerryWhite Chemmart Latrobe, Tas.
