Emu Plains’ pharmacists are stepping up to broaden the healthcare they deliver, to help ease pressure
on GPs and emergency rooms.
To mark World Pharmacist Day (on 25 September), Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan
Templeman, met with Pharmacist Peter and his team at Emu Plains’ Amcal Plus Pharmacy in Lennox
Village.
Ms Templeman says the federal government recognises that pharmacists like Peter play an important
role in making sure that local residents can get the healthcare they need.
“Peter is a third generation Pharmacist and understands the community here in Emu Plains. It’s
because of pharmacists like him and his qualified team that we’re expanding their role so they can
assess and treat more conditions, for more people,” Ms Templeman said.
“According to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, every Australian on average visits their community
pharmacy 18 times a year,” she said.
“Earlier this year the federal government expanded the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to
pharmacists so they are paid the same rate that a doctor gets to administer a vaccine.
“Of the eight million flu shots administered this flu season, more than 1 in 4 were administered by a
pharmacist and I hope this number can continue to grow next year.
Ms Templeman said that it’s caring, skilled local pharmacists that make these changes possible, and
make healthcare more accessible.
“When I spoke to Peter, he told me that his team has taken part of every trial available to them,” she
said.
“Along with the NSW Government, we’ll continue to expand the services that pharmacists can deliver.
“More than $100 million has been set aside for new and improved pharmacy programs.
“The Albanese Government has worked with pharmacists to lower the cost of prescriptions, with people
in Macquarie saving more than $1.7 million on their scripts thanks to our cheaper medicine policy and
60-day dispensing.
“Expanding pharmacists' scope of practice improves everyone's access to quality, affordable healthcare
and that’s something I think is worth celebrating.”
