A trial for appropriately trained pharmacists to provide community access to important medications and treatments usually only available with a prescription, is running in NSW.
From 31 July 2023, eligible women in NSW can visit one of more than 1000 pharmacies for the treatment of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) as part of the NSW Pharmacy Trial.
This page answers frequently asked questions about the NSW Pharmacy Trial and the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs by participating pharmacies.
A clinical trial or trial is a research study. It shows if a new approach to prevention, screening, diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition can help deliver safe care.
Trained pharmacists in this trial can supply medicines to help treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) and supply some oral contraceptive pills (the pill) to eligible people. These people won’t need a prescription (sometimes called a script) from their doctor. This will test if it is safe and easy to get these medicines from a pharmacist. The study will also check there is good communication between your pharmacist and doctor to make sure you receive consistent care.
Eligible women in NSW can visit a participating pharmacy for the treatment of an uncomplicated UTI from May 2023 and access a 12-month re-supply of certain low-risk oral contraceptive pills (the pill) for contraception purposes from September 2023.
A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system is made up of two kidneys and two tubes called ureters, which join the kidneys to the bladder. From the bladder another tube, the urethra, carries the urine to outside the body.
Infection most commonly occurs in the bladder (cystitis) but can also occur in the urethra (urethritis), the kidneys (pyelonephritis), or a combination of these.
Infections in the kidneys require evaluation by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
For more information on UTIs visit healthdirect.
Symptoms of a UTI may include:
A UTI is usually an uncomplicated UTI when you:
You are more likely to be at risk of a complicated UTI if you:
As part of this trial, pharmacists will provide advice and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs. If you are displaying any symptoms of a serious infection, your pharmacist will refer you to your doctor (GP) or an Emergency Department.
For treatment of a UTI you must be:
To receive an extended supply of the oral contraceptive pill (the pill) you will need to be:
Additional screening questions will be asked during your consultation. This is to ensure you receive the right care from the right healthcare professional at the right time. This means you may be referred to your doctor (GP) or the Emergency Department.
If you need support in your language, tell your pharmacist you need an interpreter.
Find a participating pharmacy near you.
The NSW Government has partnered with the ACT Government to enable some pharmacies in the ACT to participate in the UTI trial and the oral contraceptive pill trial.
In the ACT, your pharmacist may charge a consultation or administration fee. Check with your pharmacist about the cost of the service and medicines before you agree to receive the service.
Your pharmacist may need to refer you to your doctor (GP) or another health care professional to ensure you get the right treatment at the right time. In an emergency, the pharmacist may also refer you to the Emergency Department.
Pharmacist participation in the trial is voluntary and researchers will select these pharmacists to ensure that the data collected for the evaluation is representative of the entire state. Therefore, not all pharmacists will be providing advice or treatment.
Once accepted into the trial, pharmacists must also complete the appropriate training before they can provide this service.
More pharmacies may come on board as the trial progresses. Keep checking the NSW Pharmacy Trial - Participating Pharmacies page over the coming months to see if your local pharmacy is participating.
Outside the trial, pharmacists can advise on pain relief options for UTIs and can help you access a one-off resupply of the oral contraceptive pill in certain circumstances.
In NSW you do not need to pay a consultation fee to speak to a pharmacist about receiving treatment under the trial.
The NSW Government will pay the pharmacies $20 for each consultation as part of the trial and pharmacies are not allowed to charge an additional consultation or administration fee in addition to this reimbursement.
The cost of medications will be the same as a private prescription, with the price determined by the pharmacy and paid for by the patient.
Check with your pharmacist about the cost of medicines before you agree to receive the service.
Pharmacists who are participating in the trial have had additional training to supply medication for UTIs and the extended supply of the oral contraceptive pill.
Participating pharmacists will be provided with guidance and protocols as to who is eligible to receive treatment and who must be referred to their doctor (GP) or an Emergency Department.
These guidelines are developed by the trial team in consultation with key stakeholders and are based on international best practice.
Pharmacists in NSW can already assess a wide variety of conditions and dispense medicines for conditions such as travel sickness, musculoskeletal pain, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma that has been previously diagnosed and heartburn/reflux. They can also provide vaccinations against COVID-19, flu, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal ACWY, measles, mumps and rubella and some travel illnesses.
The NSW Government will ensure any future changes to the scope of practice or role of community pharmacists in patient management has been wholistically considered and evaluated in the NSW primary care setting.
Pharmacists will continue to play a key role in referring people who need a medical assessment to their doctor (GP) or, in an emergency, to the hospital.
While we recognise pharmacist prescribing for certain conditions could lead to earlier treatment and may assist in reducing symptoms and distress, it is important to ensure that any risks for individuals and the population will be balanced by the benefits.
Trials have been run in Australia before, however there are significant differences in primary care arrangements across Australia. Evidence from interstate programs is not directly comparable to the primary care system in NSW.
Each phase of the trial will run for 12 months. The UTI phase of the trial commenced in May 2023, while the oral contraceptive pill phase of the trial began in September 2023.
Your pharmacist will provide you with a participant information sheet as part of your consultation. Use the contact details on this information sheet to report a safety concern directly to the trial team.
Concerns about professional practice and care can also be made to the Health Care Complaints Commission or the Pharmacy Council of NSW.
To receive treatment from the pharmacist you will need to provide your name, date of birth, contact details and doctor (GP) name, if you have one.
You will also need to give your consent to participate in the trial and to receive a follow-up call or survey from researchers seven days after your consultation with the pharmacist.
In any publication, report or presentation about the trial, information will be presented so participants cannot be identified. A copy of the summary of the results from this research may be provided to participants.
The information you provide will be kept securely by your pharmacist until collected by the research team.
Data will be kept securely for a minimum period of fifteen years from the completion of the research project. Information will be managed and stored in accordance with the University of Newcastle’s Research Data and Materials Management Guideline or any successor Guideline as well as any other applicable University of Newcastle policy provisions.
The NSW Pharmacy Trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). View the Trial registration.
Find answers to frequently asked questions in your language below. You can also talk to your pharmacist and tell them you need an interpreter.
