Frequently asked questions for pharmacists: Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice

In South Australia, Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice allows authorised pharmacists to provide a broader range of clinical services to eligible people. Under the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB), pharmacists who have completed an SA Health-approved postgraduate qualification and obtained authorisation can assess, manage, and treat a broader range of common conditions and provide health and wellbeing services:

Common conditions

• Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
• Acute minor wound management
• Acute nausea and vomiting associated with gastroenteritis
• Acute otitis externa
• Acute otitis media
• Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Impetigo
• Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
• Mild to moderate acne
• Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

Health and wellbeing services

• Hormonal contraception (initiation)
• Management for overweight and obesity
• Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
• Smoking cessation
• Travel health

Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice in South Australia is supported by regulatory and clinical frameworks, which include:

• Controlled Substances Act 1984 and Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011 – provide the legislative mechanism that enables pharmacists to prescribe certain Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines.
• Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB) – outlines the specific requirements for pharmacists, pharmacies and the conditions under which prescribing may occur.
• Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Practice Protocols – evidence-based guidance that supports the safe, consistent, and high-quality delivery of services by authorised pharmacists.
• Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice Initiative Handbook – provides authorised pharmacists and pharmacy owners with practical guidance, resources, and operational information.

Expanding community pharmacists’ scope of practice gives the community greater access and choice to get the healthcare they need, while also helping to reduce pressure across our health system, including emergency departments and primary care services. This will also bring South Australia’s community pharmacy services into closer alignment with other jurisdictions, helping ensure fairer and easier access.

Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice in South Australia, including the prescribing of certain Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines, is governed by the Controlled Substances legislation and the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB) (CPP Code). The CPP Code sets out the requirements that pharmacists must comply with, including:

• Pharmacist requirements
• Prescribing requirements
• Training requirements
• Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines that may be prescribed for the specific indications, including any restrictions or conditions, in accordance with approved Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Practice Protocols.

All Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services, including the prescribing of certain Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines, must be delivered in accordance with the CPP Code.

No. In South Australia, Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services do not include chronic disease management programs. Further consideration will be given to enabling Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services for three chronic disease management programs (asthma, cardiovascular disease, and COPD). SA Health-approved training courses include content relating to chronic disease management programs.

Pharmacists and pharmacy owners will be notified if these services are enabled in South Australia.

In accordance with the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code, pharmacists must successfully complete an SA Health-approved postgraduate qualification before they can apply for authorisation to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia.

See the current list of SA Health-approved training courses available.

No. In accordance with the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB), completing an SA Health-approved postgraduate qualification is one of the requirements, however does not automatically authorise a pharmacist to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia.

Pharmacists who have completed an SA Health-approved postgraduate qualification must apply for authorisation and be included on the SA Health Register of Authorised Pharmacists before providing any Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia, including the prescribing of certain Schedule 4 (Prescription only) Medicines.

No. Pharmacists who have been authorised to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in another Australian state or territory are not automatically authorised to provide these services in South Australia.

Only pharmacists who are listed on the SA Health Register of Authorised Pharmacists are permitted to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia, including the prescribing of certain Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines. To apply for authorisation, pharmacists must meet the requirements outlined in the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB).

In line with the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code, the SA Health Register of Authorised Pharmacists is a publicly accessible, searchable register of pharmacists authorised to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia. The register can be searched using a pharmacist’s surname, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration number, or prescriber number. Search results display the pharmacist’s name and Ahpra registration number; the prescriber number will only be shown if it was used as the search term.

If your search returns no results, the pharmacist is not currently authorised to provide Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice services in South Australia, including the prescribing of certain Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) Medicines.

Only prescriptions written by pharmacists listed on the SA Health Register of Authorised Pharmacists, and issued in accordance with the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Code (PDF 709KB), are valid for dispensing. You should contact the prescriber to advise them, and inform the patient that their prescription cannot be dispensed. The usual checks, including verification of prescriber authorisation and prescription legality, continue to apply.

You may raise concerns with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). You may also notify the Office of the Chief Pharmacist at Health.CommunityPharmacyInitiatives@sa.gov.au.