WA Budget 2025: Pharmacists $1.3m shot in the arm
Plans to alleviate WA's healthcare crunch by giving pharmacists more power to prescribe more kinds of medication are moving forward, with a $1.3 million shot in the arm for training.
The money will be used to train community pharmacists, who are ultimately likely to be allowed to prescribe as many as 20 different types of medication — although the State Government has yet to confirm that final number.
The intention behind the plan is to reduce pressure on GPs and make it easier for people who cannot access a doctor, either because of their location or the cost, to be prescribed medication for some acute and chronic conditions.
The so-called enhanced access community pharmacy pilot was announced last year and is expected to be up and running in 2027.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA president Andrew Ngeow welcomed the funding in Thursday's State Budget.
'We're happy to see the Cook Government put some money into training for community pharmacists for this program,' he said.
'It's an important first step, that will ultimately mean better access to healthcare across WA.
'More funding will be required over time to bring this program to scale, and we'll continue to work with the Cook Government to that end. . . For the price of a one bedroom house in Sydney, we can train over 100 community pharmacists to better help Western Australians. This is a great start.'
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West Australian
13 hours ago
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WA Budget 2025: Pharmacists $1.3m shot in the arm
Plans to alleviate WA's healthcare crunch by giving pharmacists more power to prescribe more kinds of medication are moving forward, with a $1.3 million shot in the arm for training. The money will be used to train community pharmacists, who are ultimately likely to be allowed to prescribe as many as 20 different types of medication — although the State Government has yet to confirm that final number. The intention behind the plan is to reduce pressure on GPs and make it easier for people who cannot access a doctor, either because of their location or the cost, to be prescribed medication for some acute and chronic conditions. The so-called enhanced access community pharmacy pilot was announced last year and is expected to be up and running in 2027. Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA president Andrew Ngeow welcomed the funding in Thursday's State Budget. 'We're happy to see the Cook Government put some money into training for community pharmacists for this program,' he said. 'It's an important first step, that will ultimately mean better access to healthcare across WA. 'More funding will be required over time to bring this program to scale, and we'll continue to work with the Cook Government to that end. . . For the price of a one bedroom house in Sydney, we can train over 100 community pharmacists to better help Western Australians. This is a great start.'
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13 hours ago
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WA Budget 2025: Pharmacists $1.3m shot in the arm
Plans to alleviate WA's healthcare crunch by giving pharmacists more power to prescribe more kinds of medication are moving forward, with a $1.3 million shot in the arm for training. The money will be used to train community pharmacists, who are ultimately likely to be allowed to prescribe as many as 20 different types of medication — although the State Government has yet to confirm that final number. The intention behind the plan is to reduce pressure on GPs and make it easier for people who cannot access a doctor, either because of their location or the cost, to be prescribed medication for some acute and chronic conditions. The so-called enhanced access community pharmacy pilot was announced last year and is expected to be up and running in 2027. Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA president Andrew Ngeow welcomed the funding in Thursday's State Budget. 'We're happy to see the Cook Government put some money into training for community pharmacists for this program,' he said. 'It's an important first step, that will ultimately mean better access to healthcare across WA. 'More funding will be required over time to bring this program to scale, and we'll continue to work with the Cook Government to that end. . . For the price of a one bedroom house in Sydney, we can train over 100 community pharmacists to better help Western Australians. This is a great start.'
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