4 August 2023
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the West Australian Government’s commitment to improving access to care for thousands of women suffering from urinary tract infections each year.
From today, 4 August 2023, pharmacists who have undergone specific training will be able to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients aged 18 to 65 years old. The training is now available to all WA pharmacists.
PSA Western Australia President Kristian Ray welcomed the move, saying that patient’s access to care should be front of mind.
“Pharmacists are well positioned to play a greater role in primary health care and will make UTI treatments more accessible for more West Australians,” Mr Ray said.
“There are hundreds of thousands of women living in Western Australia that will benefit from this policy, particularly in rural and remote WA where there are significant barriers to accessing timely care.
“This program is about improving access to care where it is clinically appropriate, and working with the rest of the primary care team to promote a collaborative care model for Western Australians.
“There are robust referral pathways in place for patients who suffer from recurring UTIs, or might fall outside of the clinical inclusion criteria.
“As some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“As pharmacists, we are committed to working collaboratively with the entire health sector to deliver best outcomes for patients.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the Government to ensure the success of the program, improving access to safe, timely care,” Mr Ray concluded.
PSA's Managing Uncomplicated Cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection) training program is now available to all WA pharmacists.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s 36,000 pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.
