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Getting the most out of your pharmacist

Key facts

  • Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who work together with doctors, nurses and hospitals.
  • The main role of a pharmacist is to supply medicines and help you to take them safely.
  • Pharmacists can also give advice about health problems, how to manage chronic conditions and help you decide when to see a doctor.
  • Other services provided by some pharmacies include vaccinations, health screening tests and absence from work certificates.
  • Ask your pharmacist about treatment of minor health problems — they can provide simple treatment for many conditions without a doctor's prescription.

What is a pharmacist?

A pharmacist (sometimes called a chemist) is a qualified expert in medicines. They play an important role as frontline health experts.

Pharmacists may work in the community, hospitals, general practices, aged-care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, academia and anywhere medicines are supplied.

Pharmacists are qualified to do a lot more than fill your prescription and give you advice about your medicines. They can give you general healthcare advice and help promote your health and wellbeing.

How can a pharmacist help me?

Your pharmacist is often your first point of contact with the health system. There are thousands of community pharmacies across Australia. Over time, your pharmacist can get to know you well. Good communication with your pharmacist can improve your health and support the management of your medical conditions.

Pharmacists work closely with GPs, specialists, allied health professionals and hospitals to make sure that your medicines are prescribed and used in the best way for you.

If you speak a language other than English, your pharmacist can use the Free Interpreting Service (Opens in new tab) so you can talk with them in your language. Your pharmacist can be connected to a telephone interpreter within a few minutes.

It's essential that you can communicate well with your pharmacist so they have the information they need — such as information about any allergies or health conditions — to give you accurate advice.

Pharmacies now provide a broad range of health services. In some cases, they are evolving into community health hubs. Most people have a pharmacy within 5 kilometres of their home. If you cannot visit a pharmacy, you can ask for help over the phone.

What can community pharmacists do?

Community pharmacists can offer you a range of services beyond dispensing and selling medicines. Some of the services they provide include:

Advice and supply of medicines

There are a range of ways pharmacists can help with your medicines. Sometimes there is a fee, but often, talking to your pharmacist will not cost you anything. Pharmacists can:

  • supply prescription medicines or compound (prepare) a medicine especially for you
  • suggest generic medicines — which are usually cheaper than the original brand
  • give advice on how to take your medicines safely
  • advise you if an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is suitable for you
  • help you manage your medicines better — for example, by filling a blister pack that organises your medicines by the days and times you need to take them. There may be a fee for this service.
  • conduct a Home Medicines Review — the pharmacist checks all your medicines and sends a report to your doctor with any suggested changes
  • deliver medicines or health supplies to your home

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — To search by brand or active ingredient, use the Medicines information search feature.

Healthcare advice

Pharmacists can give lifestyle advice and general health information. They can provide information about managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Your pharmacist can help you to understand your condition, monitor your symptoms and improve how you manage your health at home.

Pharmacists can also help you locate specialist services in your area. They can guide you to reliable health information. Some provide mental health support services too.

Wound care support and skin care

A pharmacist can help you manage minor wounds caused by accidents, sports injuries or other causes. They may provide advice and products for:

Health checks and risk assessments

Pharmacists may also be able to provide screening tests for and help with monitoring for conditions such as:

Based on your results, your pharmacist may then refer you to see your doctor.

Your doctor is the best person to help you understand the results of screening tests. They can help you plan your overall health management.

Vaccinations

Pharmacists with additional training offer some vaccinations, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. The details of who can be vaccinated at a pharmacy vary from state to state. It will depend on your age and if you are pregnant (Opens in new tab). Some vaccines are fully funded (free) but you will sometimes need to pay a fee.

Ask your pharmacist or visit the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (Opens in new tab) website for more information about being vaccinated at your local pharmacy.

Support for parents, children and babies

Pharmacists provide advice and products to help you treat common conditions in babies, such as:

They can also help you decide if your child needs to see a doctor.

Pharmacists can advise which medicines are safe for your child. They can tell you how to give the right dose of medicine for your baby.

Some pharmacies offer a baby-care service to weigh and measure your baby. They may have nurses or midwives available for consultation. Find out more about how a community pharmacy can support your family (Opens in new tab).

Self-care and lifestyle assessments

Pharmacists focus on wellness and a healthy lifestyle. For example, they can provide BMI checks and advice to help you quit smoking.

Pharmacists can also help you find reputable sources of health information, such as evidence-based websites.

Absence from work certificate

You can get an absence from work certificate from some pharmacies for some conditions. A pharmacist can witness some official documents too.

Sleep apnoea support

Pharmacists may be able to identify whether you're at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. They can provide home-based sleep tests and help you to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine (Opens in new tab) to treat sleep apnoea.

Treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs)

If you are not pregnant and are aged between 18 and 65, you can get advice and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections from your local pharmacist in most parts of Australia.

Some states are still in the trial phases of this program.

Your pharmacist will ask about your symptoms and health history. If they decide that you need treatment, they can supply antibiotics without a prescription. They may refer you to your GP if necessary.

Shingles

Many pharmacists can provide vaccines and treatments for shingles. See your pharmacist straight away if you have a rash that could be shingles.

Getting contraception without a prescription

Your pharmacist may be able to resupply your oral contraceptive pill without a doctor's prescription. Each state has its own requirements. Check with your local pharmacy if you are eligible.

Your pharmacist can also provide you with emergency contraception (the morning after pill) and advise you how to use it. Ask if they have a private space where you can talk.

Mobility aids

Many community pharmacists provide mobility aids. You can hire or buy the equipment you need. For example, you might require crutches, a walking frame or shower chair following an accident or for other medical reasons.

Needle and syringe service

A pharmacy can give you sterile needles and syringes. If you inject drugs, you can access injecting equipment via a pharmacy without giving your name.

Having clean equipment helps reduce your chances of catching HIV and hepatitis C.

Many pharmacies can also help you dispose of sharps safely.

How do I find a pharmacist?

You can use healthdirect's Service Finder to search for your local pharmacy (sometimes called a chemist).

You can also use The Pharmacy Guild of Australia search tool (Opens in new tab) to check which services are provided by pharmacies in your area.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Resources and support

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

NPS MedicineWise has a translated medicines list (Opens in new tab) template available in community languages.

Last reviewed: May 2026

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