Australia’s community pharmacies flagged as key to improving men’s health outcomes

A PGA and Movember event at Parliament House in Canberra in early June — attended by scores of politicians, advisers and prescribing pharmacists — put a national focus on how pharmacies can help close the gap in men’s health.

Speakers told attendees that regular, informal conversations between men and their local pharmacist could drive earlier intervention and better outcomes.

People in Australia visit a community pharmacy every three weeks on average, making it the health service many men use most often — without an appointment and outside standard business hours

Health leaders said too many men are missing out on early intervention and everyday care, despite the accessibility of pharmacies.

Frightening numbers

Half of deaths in men under 75 are considered potentially avoidable, and around three in five men live with at least one chronic condition.

More than half of men who have a poor healthcare experience do not return, underscoring the importance of trusted, local care.

At the Canberra event, pharmacists demonstrated how private consultation spaces can support men with a wide range of concerns, from urological health to chronic disease management.

The discussion also highlighted the upcoming rollout of Movember’s Men in Mind training for pharmacists, designed to build confidence in having early, meaningful conversations with men about their health.

Movember is a global men’s health charity best known for its annual moustache‑growing campaign. It funds programs and research focused on mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Trusted local access

PGA’s National President Professor Trent Twomey told the room pharmacies are often the most accessible point of care for men who may not otherwise engage with the health system.

“Making it easier for men to access care will mean they get the treatment and interventions they need, earlier,” he said.

“Five minutes in a pharmacy beats five hours in emergency.”

He said the evidence is clear — access saves lives, and rules and regulations must evolve so all patients can benefit from seeing a specially trained pharmacist, no matter where they live.

“There should be no wrong door for primary, everyday health care.”

Special Envoy for Men’s Health Dan Repacholi MP said many men delay seeking help until problems escalate.

“Too many blokes put off dealing with health issues because they’re flat out, they reckon it’ll sort itself out, or they don’t want to make a fuss,” he said.

“A quick chat with a trusted local pharmacist can be the difference between getting on top of a problem early and ending up much sicker down the track.”

Australia’s community pharmacies are one of the few health settings men regularly walk into, and pharmacists are increasingly supporting men with urological concerns, mental health and wellbeing needs, chronic disease management, preventative health advice and treatment for long‑term conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Skills which matter

Movember spokesperson Ben Rogers, Global Director of Health Systems, said the Men in Mind program would support pharmacists to initiate conversations that matter.

“The Men in Mind program is about giving pharmacists the skills and confidence to have those crucial early conversations that can change, and even save, lives,” he said.

“Pharmacists are uniquely placed in the community, and this initiative ensures they are supported to meet men where they are, in an approachable and trusted environment.”