Queensland extends $6m community pharmacist training subsidy

The Queensland Government has extended its training subsidy — which was due to expire on 31 March — so up to 230 additional community pharmacists can take part. Subsidies of up to $7000 each are being extended, to support community pharmacists to do the training and become part of the Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice pilot.

Through the pilot, participating pharmacists are able to treat and prescribe for everyday health conditions such as acne, ear infections, eczema and mild psoriasis, nausea and school sores, together with a range of health and wellbeing services and chronic conditions management services.

“Up to 230 additional community pharmacists will be able to access subsidised training to treat the chronic and acute everyday health conditions because of this training subsidy extension,” Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said. “This means that hundreds more pharmacists can provide safe care and treatment for common health conditions — potentially saving Queenslanders a trip to the GP or hospital.”

More than 135 community pharmacists from Cairns to the Gold Coast are already taking part in the pilots. 

“We are committed to delivering services for the community to access the right care at the right time, and this program supports easier access to health for Queenslanders,” Nicholls said. “It’s fantastic to see that already, more than 1700 safe and effective services have been delivered by pharmacies across both pilots, with more services provided each day.

“This is testament to the dedication, skill and training of the pharmacists, as well as the training provided for these programs.” 

The application form for the subsidy together with further information, including eligibility criteria, is available here, via the Australasian College of Pharmacy website.

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