Community pharmacists across regional New South Wales are taking on a much larger role in frontline healthcare, with new responsibilities once handled only by doctors and GPs, as Charles Sturt University launches a course to help them meet the challenge.
The shift is driven by statewide reforms allowing trained pharmacists to assess symptoms, make clinical decisions and supply certain prescription-only medicines for common conditions. As of March 2026, there were 42,941 registered pharmacists in Australia, of which nearly 12,000, or 28 per cent, are in NSW.
Around seven million people live in rural and remote Australia, and by 2027, without intervention, it is estimated there will be as few as 52 pharmacists per 100,000 people in regional and remote areas, compared to 113 pharmacists per 100,000 people in major cities.
NSW Health confirms eligible pharmacists can now manage uncomplicated urinary tract infections, continue certain forms of hormonal contraception, and treat minor skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, shingles, impetigo and psoriasis. These services require pharmacists to complete condition-specific training, conduct private consultations, keep detailed clinical records and share information with a patient’s usual GP when appropriate.
Associate Professor in Pharmacy Mohmad Farooq Shaikh, from the Charles Sturt School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, said full-scope pharmacist prescribing was not about replacing GPs.
“Pharmacists work collaboratively with GPs, providing timely assessment, management of minor and chronic conditions within their scope, medication optimisation, and appropriate referral when needed,” he said.
“This improves access to care, reduces pressure on general practice, and enhances continuity of care while ensuring patients remain connected to their GP for comprehensive diagnosis and ongoing management.”
Professor Shaikh said the expanded scope was particularly important in regional communities, where GP shortages, long wait times and travel distances make timely care difficult.
“Pharmacists are often the most accessible health professionals in rural and regional communities and are increasingly recognised as part of the solution to improving healthcare access,” he said.
“The NSW Government’s reforms mean pharmacists are moving from a traditional dispensing role to becoming accessible primary care clinicians, assessing symptoms, making diagnoses within defined limits, and supplying appropriate medicines.
“This shift requires advanced training in clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning and prescribing decision making to ensure safe, high quality care for NSW communities.”
To help manage the changing role, the Charles Sturt School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences has developed a new Graduate Certificate in Advanced Pharmacy Practice and Prescribing, commencing in November 2026, with applications now open. In September 2024 the NSW Government announced plans to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice in 2026 to include ear infections, minor wound management, acute nausea and vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, mild to moderate acne, and mild acute musculoskeletal pain.
The university is offering a $7,000 scholarship for rural and remote pharmacists who enrol in the new graduate certificate, along with government-subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places. Charles Sturt is also offering a new online Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) starting in 2027.
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