Medicines and poisons

Under this program, Territorians can get advice and improved treatment for common health conditions from trained community pharmacists.  They can also access a range of health and wellbeing services.

Pharmacists play an important role in primary healthcare. They can diagnose and manage certain health conditions within their scope of practice. Allowing them to supply a greater range of medicines gives Territorians better access to the healthcare they need and more choice in how they receive it.

Broadening the services available through community pharmacies helps reduce pressure on the health system.  Strong clinical governance and clear referral pathways ensure people receive the right level of care. This approach also brings NT community pharmacy services in line with models already used in other states.

Training

Pharmacists who take part in the program must complete nationally consistent and accredited training. It includes:

• legal and safe prescribing of medicines
• examination skills
• clinical diagnosis and assessment relevant to the condition
• clinical documentation and communication.

Clinical safety and governance

The program builds on interstate and international work on pharmacist lead care.  All the conditions included in the program are already managed by pharmacists within their current practice.

Increasing the range of medicines pharmacists can supply in the NT decreases the need to refer patients elsewhere.

Community pharmacists providing enhanced care in the NT must follow the national Therapeutic Guidelines and meet specific service rules.  These rules ensure the level of safe, appropriate and respectful care for any health professional in the NT.

All services provided under the program are recorded.  Pharmacists can give you a copy of their records of care as well as send it directly to your nominated GP or care provider.

If you have a My Health record, any medicines supplied through the program can be recorded in it to help you keep track of your healthcare.

Pharmacists can only provide these services in a pharmacy that has been assessed by NT Health.  They must meet the highest national standards for pharmacy premises and meet the nationally consistent quality and safety in pharmacy program.

Conditions pharmacist can deliver enhanced care

NT Health is enabling pharmacists to choose to provide additional medicines for:

• urinary tract infections
• increased range of vaccines
• oral contraceptive pill - resupply
• acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
• acute minor wound management
• acute nausea and vomiting associated with gastroenteritis
• acute otitis externa
• acute otitis media
• allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
• gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• herpes zoster - shingles
• impetigo
• mild acute musculoskeletal pain
• mild to moderate acne
• mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
• hormonal contraception (initiation)
• management for overweight and obesity
• oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
• smoking cessation
• travel health.

Participating pharmacists can also help you manage your medicines when needed.

This includes when there are medicine shortages or when your dose or form needs to change to better help support your:

• cardiovascular health
• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Costs for services

Pharmacists delivering these services must have a direct consultation with you in a private room.

They may need to conduct additional examinations of your health or ask further information on your management.

The consultation may incur a fee depending on the time required and is not covered by Medicare.

Medicines supplied through under the program are not subsidised under the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Before the consultation starts, the pharmacist must clearly explain any costs. They must also tell you about lower, or no, cost options available through other services, such as a bulk billing GP practice.

Finding participating pharmacies

Pharmacies offering additional services are permitted to advertise this, but may not advertise specific medicines.

For regularly updated lists of pharmacies and services, go to the Healthdirect and Find a Pharmacy websites.

Feedback or concerns

Pharmacies in the NT are regulated by NT Health Medicines and Poisons.

If you have concerns or issues with the safety or quality of pharmacy premises, including the consultation rooms required by this program, email poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au.

For concerns or complaints about health practitioners, go to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority website.