Tasmanian pharmacy UTI trial recommended for ongoing use
30 Sep 2026
The 12-month pilot allowed pharmacists to assess and treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Tasmanian women between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025.
During the pilot, pharmacists provided 6534 episodes of care, with antibiotics supplied in 91% of cases.
The evaluation found that 88% of surveyed patients said they felt better after receiving treatment from a pharmacist. However, only 120 patients responded to the survey.
The RACGP said this number was not enough to provide a strong evidence base for assessing safety and patient outcomes or supporting major changes to healthcare.
Pharmacists spent an average of 10 minutes with each patient. One-quarter of surveyed patients said they needed follow-up care, with most seeking further help from their GP.
There were no formal reports of adverse outcomes during the pilot, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration did not record an increase in reports of medication-related adverse reactions.
The evaluation also found that the pilot may have reduced costs for patients and helped ease demand on GP and hospital services.
It recommended that UTI treatment become an ongoing service in Tasmanian pharmacies. It also said routine follow-up should not be required for every pharmacy UTI consultation, provided pharmacists give patients clear advice about expected improvement, warning signs and when to seek further medical care.
RACGP calls for stronger evidence
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the evaluation did not provide enough evidence to determine whether the model delivered safe and effective care.
He said the number of consultations and prescriptions showed how much care was provided but did not show whether patients improved or whether treatment was safe.
Dr Wright also raised concerns about the risk of UTI symptoms being linked to other conditions. Incorrect diagnosis could lead to unnecessary antibiotic use or delays in identifying and treating the actual cause.
RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner also raised concerns about continuity of care.
More than one-third of pharmacists surveyed were unable to communicate with a patient’s GP after treatment. Dr Gardner said this could result in important treatment information being missed.
The evaluation also found that some pharmacies had to temporarily close parts of their service to provide private consultations. Pharmacists reported workforce pressures and difficulties providing other services at the same time.
The RACGP said these issues raise questions about whether the pharmacy model can be expanded, particularly in rural areas where healthcare workforce shortages are already a concern.
Tasmanian pharmacy UTI trial recommended for ongoing use
Source: Tasmanian Department of Health / RACGP newsGP