Chemist Care Now

Most Chemist Care Now consultations are free.

However, you will need to pay the full cost for any medicine you receive from your pharmacist during your consultation.

Medicine prices are set by the chemist and may vary between chemists. Medicines supplied through Chemist Care Now do not contribute to your Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) Safety Net threshold. If this is important to you, you may prefer to see a doctor instead.

For travel healthcare consultations and vaccinations, your chemist may charge a consultation fee. You will also need to pay for any vaccines you receive.

Ask about any costs before you begin your consultation.

Chemists choose which Chemist Care Now services they offer. Pharmacists need to complete the right training and have the facilities and systems needed to provide each service.

Chemist Care Now is gradually expanding to include 23 common health conditions and wellbeing services. Some services are newer and may only be available at some chemists at first. More chemists will offer these services over time.

Before visiting, contact your local Chemist Care Now chemist to check that they offer the service you need.

Some Chemist Care Now services have age limits. These include:

• Acute, mild musculoskeletal pain (18 to 65 years)
• Acute flare-ups of mild to moderate eczema (2 to 65 years)
• Resupply of hormonal contraception with a previous prescription, including some contraceptive pills, the vaginal ring and the depot injection (16 to 50 years)
• Starting or restarting the oral contraceptive pill without a prescription (18 to 50 years)
• Resupply of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) where you have a previous prescription (aged 49-59, or aged 30 years and over with confirmed surgical menopause)
• Impetigo (school sores) (2 years and over)
• Mild acne (12 years and over)
• Mild plaque psoriasis flare-ups (18 years and over)
• Shingles (18 years and over)
• Treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) (aged 18-50)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women and gender diverse people with female biology (18 to 65 years)
• Travel health and vaccination services may have separate eligibility requirements. Ask your pharmacist if you're unsure whether a service is right for you

In some age groups, symptoms may be more likely to be linked to an underlying health condition or require further investigation. If you're outside the eligible age range, your pharmacist may refer you to a doctor for further assessment and treatment.

You do not need a prescription to access Chemist Care Now services. Your pharmacist will ask you about your symptoms, health and medical history to determine whether the service is suitable for you and whether treatment can be provided through Chemist Care Now.

If you need a resupply of hormonal contraception or menopausal hormone therapy, bring your old prescription, or some of the medication in its box. The chemist may already have a record of this information if it is the chemist you visit regularly.

Appointment requirements may vary between participating chemists.

Some chemists will require a booking for a consultation with a trained pharmacist. Others will allow walk-in consultations, or a combination of both. Some services may only be available on certain days or at specific times.

Before visiting, contact your local chemist or visit their website to check:

• what services they offer
• if a booking is required or if you can visit without making a booking.

Your pharmacist will ask questions about your symptoms, health and medical history to determine whether they can safely treat you. They will consider factors such as your age, sex, symptoms and medical history when making this decision.

Pharmacists can only treat certain conditions through Chemist Care Now. If your condition is not covered by the program, or if Chemist Care Now is not appropriate for your situation, your pharmacist may recommend that you see a doctor or another healthcare professional and can provide a referral if needed.

If you are worried about your condition, medications or side effects, you should see a doctor. While trained pharmacists can treat specific conditions through Chemist Care Now, your doctor remains the best person to manage your overall health and any serious health concerns.

Your consultation will take about 15 to 30 minutes.

No, you don't need a Medicare card to access Chemist Care Now.

Yes. Your consultation will take place in a private consultation room.

Your pharmacist will keep a secure record of your consultation and treatment, similar to the records your doctor keeps. This information is stored securely in the computer systems used by the chemist.

With your consent, information about your treatment can be shared with your My Health Record and your regular doctor (if you have one). You can still receive treatment if you choose not to share this information.

Your pharmacist will keep a secure record of your consultation and treatment, similar to the records your doctor keeps. This information is stored securely in the computer systems used by the chemist.

With your consent, information about your treatment can be shared with your My Health Record and your regular doctor (if you have one). You can still receive treatment if you choose not to share this information.

Participating pharmacists must meet strict requirements to provide Chemist Care Now services.

Pharmacists who provide Chemist Care Now services complete additional training to deliver these services safely.

They use approved clinical guidelines to help decide the best care for you and help them make treatment decisions. These guidelines were developed by the Department of Health with input from medical and pharmacy experts.

The Victorian Department of Health monitors and evaluates Chemist Care Now to help improve the service. Your pharmacist will ask for your consent to share some information with the department for this purpose. The department will receive general information but will not receive any information about individual patients that identifies you.

You will also be asked if you would like your phone number or email address shared with the department. If you consent, you may receive a short survey asking about your experience with the service.

Taking part in service evaluation is optional. You can still receive treatment if you choose not to participate.

If you have had a negative experience with services provided through Chemist Care Now, consider talking to a staff member at the chemist where you received the service about your concerns.

If your concern is not resolved, or you would prefer to provide feedback another way, the following organisations may be able to help, depending on the nature of your feedback: