Thursday, 28 August 2025

 Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (12:46): (1786) My question is for the Minister for Health. Minister, what are the benefits for the residents of Eastern Victoria Region from the Labor government’s community pharmacy initiative? We are making it easier and cheaper to get care for more health conditions at pharmacies without having to see a GP. Our community pharmacist program has been a huge success, providing treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, resupply of oral contraceptives and treatment for shingles, so we have made it permanent and will expand it to include treatment for 22 conditions, including asthma, nausea, ear infections, wound management and type 2 diabetes, without having to go to your GP. It is another way we are focused on doing what matters for Victorians: making health care more accessible and closer to home.