Full Scope of Practice Pilot

“Full scope of practice” is the idea that pharmacists, who train for years in medicines and clinical care, should be able to use more of that training to help patients directly. Several states have run pilots putting this into practice, letting trained pharmacists assess and treat a defined list of common conditions. If a pharmacy lists this, it usually means it takes part in one of those programs.

What is a full scope of practice pilot?

It is a state-based program in which pharmacists who complete additional training can assess, and where appropriate prescribe for, a set list of common health conditions, without you needing to see a doctor first for each one. Think of it as several pharmacist services bundled under one banner: depending on the program, the list can include things like urinary tract infections, some skin conditions, minor ear and respiratory complaints, and contraception. Healthdirect’s guide to whether your pharmacist can give you a prescription is a good plain-English overview of how far this has come.

Who is it for?

It is aimed at people with straightforward, common conditions that fit the program’s protocols. For each condition there are eligibility criteria and warning signs that send you to a doctor instead. The pharmacist assesses you against those criteria and either treats you or refers you on.

It is not a replacement for your GP, for complex or chronic conditions, or for anything outside the defined list. It is about handling the common, low-risk problems quickly and close to home.

How it works at the pharmacy

You will have a private consultation. The pharmacist works through a structured assessment for your specific concern, and if you meet the protocol, provides treatment and clear advice, including when to return or see a doctor. If you do not meet the criteria, they refer you appropriately. Ask about any consultation fee up front, since these vary.

What it does not do

A scope-of-practice pilot does not turn the pharmacy into a substitute for medical care. Serious, unusual, or worsening symptoms, anything outside the program’s condition list, and situations with red flags all need a GP, urgent care, or emergency services. The pilots are designed with referral built in for exactly these cases.

How it’s regulated in Australia

These pilots are run and evaluated by state and territory health departments, which decide the conditions covered, the training pharmacists must complete, and the protocols, so they differ significantly by location and some are time-limited trials. Participating pharmacists hold the required training and are registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. As pilots are evaluated, the successful elements tend to become permanent services, so what your local pharmacy can do is steadily expanding.

Official sources

• Healthdirect: can my pharmacist give me a prescription?
• Pharmacy Board of Australia

Phone ahead to find out which conditions a participating pharmacy can help with. Use the button below to find a pharmacy listing this service near you.