Avant Urges Halt on Expanding Pharmacist Prescribing
The medical defence organisation calls for a national safety framework before granting more prescribing powers.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Allergies
Live Poll
Do you trust pharmacists to prescribe medication for chronic conditions in your area?
Avant has requested a pause on expanding autonomous pharmacist prescribing powers across Australia until a national safety framework is established. The organisation cites data indicating that one in five people involved in prescription-related incidents suffer serious injury.
Why it matters
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has raised concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest if pharmacists are permitted to both prescribe and dispense medications. Avant argues that current safety metrics require further review before broadening the scope of pharmacy-led treatment.
An analysis of 16,000 medical claims found that 17 percent resulted from refusing to write scripts or reducing dosages. While 99 percent of people can access a GP, 26 percent report waiting longer than they consider acceptable for an appointment.
The players
Avant
This is a medical defence organisation that provides insurance and professional support to medical practitioners.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
This is the professional body responsible for setting standards and training for general practitioners in Australia.
The details
Pharmacists currently treat conditions like urinary tract infections and issue oral contraceptives in most states after completing 18-month university training. In New South Wales, the programme is set to expand in 2026 to include treatment for nausea, hay fever, reflux, acne, musculoskeletal pain, and skin conditions.
Timeline
October 2026: Victoria allowed the resupply of menopause hormone therapy.
2026: New South Wales pharmacists will be able to treat expanded conditions.
Health Landscape
The push for a national safety framework for pharmacist prescribing marks a departure from the current state-based expansion models. This development reflects a wider struggle to balance patient access with clinical safety standards in primary care.
Patients may see changes to their treatment options as pharmacists in states like New South Wales gain the authority to manage conditions such as hay fever and acne. The request for a pause ensures that these expanded services are scrutinised for safety before becoming widely available.
The takeaway
Patients should remain aware of the differences between general practitioner and pharmacy-led care models. Always verify with your regular doctor whether a specific condition is best treated through a clinic or a pharmacy based on your personal health history.
Further reading
For more context on the evolving scope of pharmacy services, see our Allergies section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Age.
Live Poll
Do you trust pharmacists to prescribe medication for chronic conditions in your area?
