Pharmacists Want To Sell Viagra And Treat UTIs Without Doctor's Orders

Pharmacists are proposing a healthcare shake-up that would allow drugs such as Viagra to be bought over the counter and end the "turf war" with doctors.

A Queensland parliamentary inquiry is investigating establishing a pharmacy council and pharmacists' "scope" of practice.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia proposed allowing pharmacists to dispense medication over the counter for uncomplicated ear or urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, skin conditions and migraines, so patients do not need to see a doctor for a prescription.

They also suggested pharmacists could fill repeat prescriptions for medicines such as the contraceptive pill.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland president Chris Owen said filling repeat prescriptions would be subject to strict rules, such as the buyer having been to that particular pharmacy previously.

"When it happens to be on a Sunday when no doctors are working, you can give them an emergency supply," he said.

"They've been given five repeats and the last two have expired."

Mr Owen said pharmacists could also offer treatment for simple conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs).

"For a 20-something female, to get into a GP can be difficult. If they go see a pharmacist, to have that available, and have that in their scope, they could get that treatment a lot quicker," he said.

Mr Owen said the proposal could help Queenslanders living in regional areas, who could otherwise wait weeks to see a doctor.



Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland chair Dr Bruce Willett has said there was a concern pharmacists directly profited from prescriptions in a retail environment, whereas doctors had no financial interest in prescribing medications.

But Mr Owen said it was important for all health professionals to act in the best interests of the patient.

"Forget the turf war," he said.

"At the end of the day, it's not really about us or the doctors, it's about patients and if we can use international examples, or examples in the past where we've provided a more efficient service, then I don't think Queenslanders should be held back," he said.


Mr Owen said New Zealand had successfully allowed access to erectile dysfunction drugs through pharmacies without a prescription, and pharmacists had been delivering flu vaccines safely for years.

In 2016, the Palaszczuk government changed the law to allow pharmacists to deliver vaccines to adults, including flu, measles and mumps, following a two-year trial.

Mr Owen said there would be strict rules around pharmacists being able to sell drugs such as Viagra over the counter, which could include a blood pressure check, and it would only be available in simple cases.

"It's not like we'd be giving it willy-nilly," he said.

Submissions to the inquiry close on July 13.


Fairfax Media contacted the Australian Medical Association Queensland.

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