The NSW government plan will allow pharmacists to prescribe a host of basic
The plan has three different stages and starts tomorrow when pharmacists will be able to administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccines.
The next step will be a one-year trial where chemists will be able to prescribe medication like antibiotics for urinary tract infections.
In the final stage, pharmacists who undertake extra training will be allowed to write scripts for 23 different conditions including gastroenteritis, nausea and vomiting, allergies, shingles, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne and the contraceptive pill.
A consultation fee to access the prescriptions is pegged to cost around $20 to $30 at the pharmacy.
It comes as GPs face growing staff shortages and patients are reportedly waiting days for an appointment.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said this change is working to address the pressures on the healthcare system.
"We know many people are presenting in emergency departments or waiting weeks to see a GP. Pharmacists can do more," he said.
He added this reform will particularly help people in regional NSW where GPs are sparse.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard this is a "once in a generation" reform for the states health system and was inspired by a trial in regional Queensland.
"Patients will be kept safe but will also get speedy results. Thats something we all want when were not feeling well or in a great deal of pain," he said.
Pharmacy Guild of Australias Trent Twomey said

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