Select language: (Arabic) العربية , বাংলা (Bengali), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

What is a pharmacist?

A pharmacist (sometimes called a chemist) is a qualified expert in medicines. They play an important role as frontline health experts.

Pharmacists may work in the community, hospitals, aged-care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, academia and anywhere medicines are supplied.

Pharmacists are qualified to do a lot more than fill your prescription and give you advice about your medicines. They can give you general healthcare advice and help promote your health and wellbeing.

How can pharmacists help me?

Your pharmacist is often your first point of contact with the health system. There are thousands of community pharmacies across Australia. Over time, your pharmacist can get to know you well. Good communication with your pharmacist can improve your health and ensure that your medical conditions are well-managed.

Pharmacists work closely with GPs, specialists, allied health professionals or hospitals to ensure that your medicines are prescribed appropriately.

If you speak a foreign language, your pharmacist can use the Free Interpreting Service to access interpreting services. Your pharmacist can be connected to a telephone interpreter within a few minutes. It is essential that you are able to communicate effectively with your pharmacist so they have the information they need — such as information about any allergies or health conditions — to give you accurate advice.

Pharmacies are always expanding the range of health services they provide. They are now evolving into community health hubs.

What can community pharmacists do?

Community pharmacists can offer you a range of services beyond dispensing medication. Some of the services they provide include:

• vaccination programs
• screening for some health conditions
• wound care
• treating urinary tract infections
• witness signing of some documents

Medicine advice

Pharmacists can:

• supply prescription medicines
• advise on the best over-the-counter (OTC) and generic medicines (non-name brand medicines, which are usually cheaper)
• give advice on how to take your medicines safely
• compound (prepare) a medicine especially for you, if needed
• help you manage your medicines better, sometimes for a small fee — for example, by filling a blister pack that organises your medicines by the days and times you need to take them
• conduct a Home Medicines Review
• deliver medicines or supplies

Healthcare advice

Pharmacists can give lifestyle advice and general health information, as well as information about managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and asthma. They can help you to understand your condition, monitor your symptoms and improve how you manage your health at home.

Pharmacists can also guide you on accessing specialist services in your area or finding reliable health information. They can provide mental health support services too.

Wound care support

Pharmacists can help you manage minor wounds caused by accidents, sports injuries or other causes, including:

• cleaning wounds
• stopping bleeding
• dressing wounds
• showing you how to apply dressings and compression garments to care for your wound at home

Health checks and risk assessments

Pharmacists may also perform screening tests for conditions such as:

• sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• diabetes
• heart disease
• bowel cancer
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• anaemia

Based on your results, your pharmacist may then refer you to see your GP.

Your GP is best placed to help you understand what these results mean as part of your overall health management.

Vaccinations

Specially-trained pharmacists in some states can offer some vaccinations, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

For information on which vaccines pharmacies can offer in your state, visit the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website.

Support for mothers, children and babies

Pharmacists provide advice and products to help you treat common conditions in babies, such as:

• nappy rash
• eczema
• cradle cap
• constipation
• fever
• pain
• teething

They can also advise if your child needs to see a doctor.

Pharmacists can also advise which medicines are safe for your child and how to work out the right dose for them. Some pharmacies offer a baby-care service to weigh and measure your baby. They may have nurses or midwives available for consultation.

Self-care and lifestyle assessments

Pharmacists focus on wellness and a healthy lifestyle. For example, they can provide BMI checks and advise to help you quit smoking. Pharmacists can also direct you to reputable sources of health information, such as evidence-based websites.

Absence from work certificate

You can get an absence from work certificate from some pharmacies for some conditions.

Sleep apnoea support

Pharmacists may be able to identify whether you're at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. They can provide home-based sleep tests and help you to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to treat sleep apnoea.

Treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs)

If you are not pregnant and are aged 18 - 65, you can now access advice and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections from your local pharmacist.

This is a new service that pharmacists can offer you. Some states are still in the trial phases of this program.

Your pharmacist will ask about your symptoms and health history. If they decide that you need treatment, they can supply antibiotics without a prescription. They may refer you to your GP if necessary.

Contraception

If you meet specific criteria, your pharmacist can resupply your contraception without a doctor’s prescription. Each state has its own policies and guidelines. Check with your local pharmacy if you are eligible. Your pharmacist can also provide you with emergency hormonal contraception and advise you about its use.

Mobility aids

Many community pharmacists now have specialist areas dedicated to mobility aids, that can be helpful if you require a mobility aids due to an accident or for other medical reasons.

Needle and syringe service

Your pharmacy can give you sterile needles and syringes. If you inject drugs, you can anonymously access equipment via your pharmacist. This helps reduce your chances of catching HIV and hepatitis C.

Many pharmacies can also help you dispose of sharps safely.

Telehealth

Many pharmacies offer telehealth services tailored to their community’s needs. This improves your access to your community pharmacist if you live in rural or remote Australia.

How do I find a pharmacist?

You can use healthdirect’s Service Finder to search for your local pharmacy (sometimes called a chemist).

You can also use The Pharmacy Guild of Australia search tool to check which services are provided by pharmacies in your area.

Resources and support

• Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.
• Visit The Pharmacy Guild of Australia for a full list of services pharmacies can offer.
• Learn how your local pharmacy can play an important role in helping you manage your diabetes.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

NPS MedicineWise has a translated medicines list available in community languages.