The Tasmanian Government’s recent announcement of a $5 million pilot program to expand the scope of pharmacy practice has sparked strong debate among key stakeholders.
While the government highlights the initiative as a way to increase healthcare accessibility and alleviate pressure on general practitioners and emergency departments, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania has condemned the move as a threat to patient safety and an improper allocation of funds.
The AMA argues that pharmacists lack the diagnostic training of doctors and warns of increased fragmentation in patient care.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has cautiously welcomed the program, stressing that any benefits must not come at the cost of further health budget cuts.
Media release — Roger Jaensch, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, 16 May 2025
Expanding the scope of practice for Tasmanian pharmacies
Expanded access to health care from pharmacies will be on offer as part of the upcoming 2025-26 Budget, as the Tasmanian Government progresses its reform agenda that allows Tasmanians to receive the health care they need, sooner.
The innovative program is already helping thousands of Tasmanians save time and money by attending a community pharmacy, rather than a GP or attending an emergency department.
The 2025-26 Budget will see a $5 million investment to further expand the role of pharmacists to include treatment of conditions such as ear infections, reflux, skin conditions such as shingles and eczema, rhinitis and wound care.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roger Jaensch, said the changes are part of the Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
“We are delivering on the things that matter to Tasmanians by expanding access to healthcare and medication management across the State.
“This funding investment will allow pharmacists to undergo subsidised training to receive full scope of practice credentials, enabling them to provide even more care in the community.
“We’ve already seen the success of pharmacists treating urinary tract infections, and the extension of the oral pill prescription – which is freeing up thousands of GP appointments and reducing pressure on our hospitals.”
“Our pharmacists are trusted, frontline health professionals and medication experts in our communities – playing a vital role at a time where health systems across the country are facing increasing pressure.
“By supporting them to upskill and expand their offerings, we can support more Tasmanians to get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
“Additionally, the expansion will also see a nation-leading pilot to allow pharmacists to prescribe medications in aged care settings.
“Better medication management is proven to reduce hospital presentations and allows GP’s to spend more time with patients who need their expertise most.”
The expanded services are expected to become available next year, once pharmacists complete the required training.
The Government is building a better Tasmania: now, and for the future – with these initiatives strengthening Tasmania’s healthcare services.
Media release — AMA Tasmania, 16 May 2025
Tasmanian government’s $5 million pharmacy scope of practice pilot program is misguided
The Tasmanian government’s announcement of a $5 million pilot program to increase the scope of practice for pharmacy completely misses the mark and worse puts patient care at risk.
Pharmacists are an important part of the patient care team. However, they are not doctors, and no amount of study outside of a medical degree will give them the ability to diagnose a medical condition. For these reasons, the AMA does not support this scope of practice expansion for pharmacists.
What we do support, though, is the opening of more training positions in general practice, increased Medicare rebates for longer consultations that will help to make GP salaries more competitive with their hospital colleagues, and multidisciplinary teams that include pharmacists.
Many medical conditions share similar symptoms. It takes years of study and experience to ascertain the difference between acid reflux and gallstones.
The federal government already supports pharmacists to undertake medication reviews. Doctors are best placed to diagnose and alter a patient’s prescription.
We have yet to see an evaluation of whether a pharmacy-prescribing program is safe for patients. Further, this broadening of the scope of practice will ultimately result in further care fragmentation.
The under funding of Medicare makes it unviable for GPs to visit residential aged care. Aged care medicine involves a complex group of patients. This $5 million would be far better spent supporting GPs to care for elderly patients in aged care facilities.
This approach would help ensure the longevity and security of general practice in our community and allows doctors to use their existing training to holistically assess, examine, investigate, diagnose, refer, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams for their patients.
A consultation between a general practitioner and a patient is not just a simple transaction about prescribing a medicine; every general practitioner visit includes opportunistic discussions with patients about various health care needs, including evidence-based prevention and screening services.
If the government is genuinely committed to innovation, it should prioritise the single funder challenge, as the AMA Tasmania has called for over a decade.
The AMA Tasmania has long championed a single funder model. This model allows for a seamless healthcare continuum without the pitfalls of service duplication and misguided pilot programs.
As healthcare costs continue to rise, driven by Tasmania’s ageing population and the demand for more sophisticated care, we must work smarter. Relying on multiple funding sources across state and federal governments does not lead to efficient resource use.
This change could reshape the future of Tasmania’s healthcare system for the better and ensure that Tasmanian patients receive the highest level of care.
Media release — Ella Haddad, Shadow Minister for Health, 16 May 2025
Pharmacy scope expansion welcome – but won’t soften blow of Liberal health cuts
While Labor welcomes today’s announcement that Tasmanian pharmacists will be able to practice to their full scope of practice, we are calling on the minority Liberal Government to guarantee that this initiative won’t be delivered alongside a repeat of last years’ $600 million worth of budget cuts to health.
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who already play a vital role in reducing pressure on Tasmania’s over-burdened health system. They are trusted professionals and often the first port of call for Tasmanians in need.
In Queensland there has already been an expansion to allow pharmacists to practice up to their full scope of practice, with other states and territories planning to do the same.
That change has led to greater and faster access to healthcare, which has been extremely welcome especially in rural and regional locations. Working alongside GPs and other health professionals, pharmacists play a critical role in early advice and treatment of a range of health conditions.
Today’s announcement will mean suitably trained pharmacists in Tasmania will also be able to provide this type of expanded service, which will be no doubt welcomed by Tasmanians across the state.
Labor welcomes the commitment of funding for Tasmanian pharmacists to undergo the training needed to provide this expanded practice, however this initiative can’t be delivered alongside more cuts for Tasmania’s health system, which is already sick enough after more than a decade of Liberal mismanagement.
Last budget, the Liberals laid out more than $600 million worth of cuts to the Health Department, with hundreds of jobs placed on the chopping block.
Tasmanians can’t afford to see a repeat of these savage cuts in May 29’s Budget.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include:
- a weekly podcast covering current affairs
- a revamped website
- a monthly cartoon competition
- a user-friendly app for both Android and Apple devices
- a weekly roundup of key stories
