There has recently been a substantial shift in the awareness of women’s health, which has influenced an increase in accessibility to women’s health services within Australia.
Due to convenient opening hours and an increasing scope of services, community pharmacies have been at the forefront of the change by emerging as essential hubs for women seeking healthcare advice.
One positive development for women’s health is the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot and Program, providing women with access to treatment, including antibiotics if required, as well as tailored advice for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) directly from their nearby community pharmacy. With one in two Australian women experiencing a UTI in their lifetime,1 this initiative has provided an advancement in delivering timely, convenient, and effective healthcare.
In another significant stride forward, pharmacies in selected states are now able to provide women with a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill without a prescription. Participating pharmacies in the trial will have the ability to dispense two types of pills: the combined oral contraceptive pill (COC), containing estrogen and progestogen; and progestogen-only pills (POP). As part of the program, pharmacists are required to undergo additional training to deliver these services. The implementation of these new measures will prioritise patient’s needs, ensuring swifter access to essential care and alleviating the strain on hospital or medical wait times.
Want to know more about increasing scope in pharmacy? The Australasian College of Pharmacy has a multitude of CPD, short courses and information which is available through Student Membership. Please visit www.acp.edu.au to sign up for complimentary student membership and stay up-to-date today!
