Bass electorate
Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (14:44): (581) My question is for the Minister for Health. Recently our government made an important, practical and wonderful announcement, the extending of the community pharmacy pilot program. As part of this, 729 pharmacies across Victoria, including in Cowes, Wonthaggi, Lang Lang, Inverloch and Pearcedale in my electorate of Bass, will be able to treat patients for mild and common skin conditions, including psoriasis and shingles. We know that 3700 Victorians, the majority of whom are women, have already accessed this program, getting the care they need. For women it has meant that they can just pop down to their participating local chemist to get a refill for their oral contraceptive pill without having to go to their GP each and every time or to get treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections. My question for the minister is: how will these changes benefit community members, including women in my electorate, who access this program?