The changes were announced on May 12 and are designed to improve access to primary care while easing pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments.
Access barriers easing
People in the Northern Territory (NT) continue to face significant delays accessing timely and affordable healthcare, with one in four waiting more than three weeks for a GP appointment and almost half reporting the wait as unacceptable.
Community pharmacies, meanwhile, remain among the NT’s most trusted and accessible healthcare destinations.
As part of our year of growth, certainty and security, we’re delivering faster, more convenient access to care, so Territorians spend less time waiting and more time getting on with life.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro
PGA National President Professor Trent Twomey said the reforms will make a meaningful difference for patients.
“Trained community pharmacists will be able to examine, diagnose and treat everyday health conditions like school sores or ear infections and undertake consultations with women to prescribe hormonal contraception,” he said.
“It means patients can ‘Think Pharmacy First’ for treatment of everyday and long-term health conditions.”
Government commitment delivered
The NT’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the reforms deliver on a commitment to make every day healthcare quicker, easier and more affordable.
“This is about restoring our lifestyle, making it simpler for Territorians to access the care they need, when they need it,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Healthcare shouldn’t be difficult, expensive or time consuming.
“As part of our year of growth, certainty and security, we’re delivering faster, more convenient access to care, so Territorians spend less time waiting and more time getting on with life.”
The NT’s Health Minister Steve Edgington said expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice will reduce pressure on primary care services and emergency departments by enabling faster treatment for common conditions.
Pharmacists’ role expanding
Professor Twomey said the reforms build on the trusted role pharmacists already play in assessing, triaging and treating patients in line with clinical guidelines.
“This announcement means more Territorians can get the right treatment, at the right time, without unnecessary delays,” he said.
“It saves patients time and money and allows GPs and emergency departments to focus on more complex care.
“Community pharmacists assess, triage, diagnose and treat patients every day, ensuring safe and effective use of medicines in line with clinical guidelines.
Healthcare shouldn’t be difficult, expensive or time consuming.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro
“This announcement empowers specially trained pharmacists to do more — building on this trusted role and improving access to care, especially in areas where other health services can be hard to reach,” he said.
The reforms are supported by a AUD 1-million investment in pharmacist training, with the first cohort completing qualifications through James Cook University.
Pharmacists offering these services must complete a graduate certificate covering medical history-taking, practical examinations and clinical reasoning.
Workforce strengthened
The NT will also recognise interstate-trained prescribing pharmacists, supporting workforce mobility and enabling pharmacists to practise to their full capability.
This announcement means more Territorians can get the right treatment, at the right time, without unnecessary delays.
PGA's Prof Trent Twomey
Professor Twomey said empowering pharmacists strengthens the entire primary healthcare system.
“Empowering pharmacists to deliver more frontline care strengthens the entire primary healthcare system,” he said.
“It spreads the healthcare load. It means patients can ‘Think Pharmacy First’ and get care when and where they need it — including after hours and on weekends.”
Rollout underway
The 43 community pharmacies in the NT will progressively introduce the expanded services, with several locations ready to begin immediately.
Free vaccination services are also being extended to children aged two to five years.
The reforms build on the earlier rollout of pharmacy-based treatment for urinary tract infections, which has already supported hundreds of people each year.
Conditions NT pharmacists can now treat
Trained pharmacists in Australia’s Northern Territory can now assess, diagnose and manage or treat the following conditions where clinically appropriate:
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Asthma
- Ear infections – treatment and/or management of associated pain
- Gastro‑oesophageal reflux and gastro‑oesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster (shingles) – treatment and/or management of associated pain
- Hormonal contraceptive initiation
- Impetigo (school sores)
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Mild, acute musculoskeletal pain
- Oral contraceptive resupply
- Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
- Quit smoking
- Travel health
- Cardiovascular disease risk reduction
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Urinary tract infection (already in place)
