General News
10 January, 2026
Chemist care expands to bring healthcare closer to home
FOR many people in Stawell and surrounding towns, the local pharmacy is often the first place they turn when something doesn’t feel right. From a child with a sudden rash to a visitor who has forgotten their medication, pharmacies have long filled the gaps between home and the doctor’s clinic. Now, a new expansion of Victoria’s Chemist Care Now program is making that role even more important.
Under changes announced by the Allan Government, Victorians will be able to access treatment for more common conditions directly from participating pharmacists, without needing to see a GP.
The expanded program includes treatment for school sores, new contraceptive options, and expanded access to hormone replacement therapy, with more services to be added over the next two years.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the changes would make healthcare easier to access while freeing up GPs to focus on more complex cases.
For local pharmacist Hafeeza Kausar, who has been working at Grampians Pharmacy for just over a year, the changes reflect what community pharmacies already do every day.
“People don’t just come in for scripts,” Ms Kausar said, “They come in because they need help, and sometimes they don’t know where else to go.”
After moving from Sydney to the Grampians, Ms Kausar said she quickly noticed how much local communities rely on their pharmacists, particularly when access to doctors can be limited.
“We’re open five days a week, and if someone can’t get into a GP straight away, we can often help them find a solution,” she said.
“That might be through an instant script, online support, or knowing when to refer them to hospital.”
The expanded Chemist Care Now program means pharmacists can treat a wider range of everyday health issues, including skin infections such as impetigo, as well as provide resupplies for certain contraceptives without a prescription. Hormone replacement therapy will also be added next year.
Ms Kausar said the changes recognise the reality of how people access care, particularly in regional areas.
“Sometimes people are just visiting, or they’ve forgotten their medication, or they can’t get an appointment quickly,” she said. “We can help make sure they’re not stuck.”
Since the program began, more than 66,000 services have been delivered across Victoria, supported by an $18 million investment in the 2025–26 state budget. Pharmacists complete additional training to deliver the expanded services safely.
For communities like Stawell, the changes mean healthcare is becoming more flexible, more accessible and more local.
“It’s about making sure people can get help when they need it,” Ms Kausar said, “That’s what we’re here for.”
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