Pharmacists - what do they do?

Pharmacists (also known as 'chemists') are highly trained health professionals. Their role is to dispense (give you) medicines that your doctor prescribes and explain how to use them.

Most pharmacists also offer free, evidence-based health advice and other services. They can help if you are:

• planning a pregnancy
• pregnant (Opens in new tab)
• breastfeeding
• need health advice for your baby or child

Pharmacists work in:

• the community
• hospitals
• health centres
• wherever medicines are made or used

Pharmacy shops also sell health, baby and personal care products.

In Australia, registered pharmacists have a degree in pharmacy and complete the Pharmacy Board of Australia registration process. This includes one year supervision by an experienced pharmacist.

Pharmacists need to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (Opens in new tab). They must meet the requirements for safe and professional practice.

All pharmacists also need to do ongoing professional education.

While pharmacists don't diagnose illnesses, they can give advice about what your symptoms mean and your treatment options.

If you or your child take medicines, a pharmacist can help you understand what they do.

They can also check to see that a medicine is safe for use during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.

Your pharmacist will tell you about any drug interactions between medicines.

Pharmacists will always work within their professional boundaries. They may refer you to a doctor who can assess you further and arrange diagnostic tests (Opens in new tab) if needed.

You don't always need to see a doctor if you have minor health issues.

It can sometimes be hard to get an appointment with a doctor, especially in rural areas. Most towns and suburbs have a community pharmacy, so there is likely to be one nearby.

Medicines supply and advice

Pharmacists are experts in medicines (Opens in new tab), and can help you learn about your medicines.

Pharmacies offer a range of items and services that you may need when pregnant or as a new parent.

They can talk with you about supplements and minerals too.

You can buy medicines over the counter to help with some minor illnesses such as:

• colds and flu in children or during pregnancy
• headaches, period pain (Opens in new tab) or other types of pain
• minor cuts, burns and grazes
• allergies and hay fever
• ear, eye and mouth conditions
• itchy skin

Items for yourself and your baby

As well as medicines many pharmacies sell baby items such as:

• nappies
• formula milk
• bottles and teats for feeding your baby
• breast pumps

You can often buy these things from a pharmacy:

• toothbrushes and toothpaste
• pregnancy and ovulation testing kits
• cosmetics, perfume, sanitary pads and tampons
• dressings, bandages and antiseptic
• foot-care items
• batteries and household cleaning items

Health services

Some pharmacies have a child health nurse or midwife on staff. They can offer child health checks or pregnancy care and advice.

There might be a small area of the pharmacy set aside for private consultations. Some have a baby scale to check your baby's growth.

Many pharmacists offer vaccination (Opens in new tab) services, for example, influenza ('the flu') (Opens in new tab) and COVID-19 vaccinations (Opens in new tab).

However, routine childhood vaccinations are usually done by or doctor or at a community health centre.

In some situations, your doctor may refer you for a home medicines review (HMR) (Opens in new tab) with an accredited pharmacist. This is where a pharmacist visits you at home to, reviews your medicines. They then write a report for your doctor. Your doctor will work with you on any changes to your medicines.

Some pharmacies offer basic hearing tests (Opens in new tab). If a pharmacy check finds a hearing problem, you will be referred to an audiology clinic.

Other health services a pharmacy may offer include:

• blood pressure (Opens in new tab) monitoring
• diabetes (Opens in new tab) and asthma (Opens in new tab) care education
• medical equipment hire
• quit smoking (Opens in new tab) or vaping and weight loss (Opens in new tab) programs
• contraceptive options (Opens in new tab)
• wound care (Opens in new tab)
• help with harm reduction and overcoming addiction (Opens in new tab)

Some pharmacies offer document witnessing services and sick leave certificates.

Digital services

If you find it hard to get to a pharmacy in person, ask your pharmacist if they offer:

• online ordering
• home delivery services

Most pharmacies across Australia now accept eScripts (Opens in new tab). These can be more convenient:

• while you are pregnant
• if you have a newborn baby
• if you have a sick child at home

Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your pharmacist:

• When you ask your pharmacist for a medicine or health advice, let your pharmacist know if you're pregnant.
• If you're asking for advice about medicines for your child, tell your pharmacist their age, weight and if they have any other health conditions.
• If you have questions about a specific medicine, take the original box, packet or prescription with you.
• Make a list of questions, so you don't forget. Pharmacists are trained to give advice about a wide range of health conditions. They will let you know if you should ask someone else instead.
• Be prepared to wait for the pharmacist to speak with you, especially at busy times.
• If you need to show physical symptoms, ask if the shop has a private consulting space.
• Ask your pharmacist where you can get more information about a medicine.
• Ask your pharmacist if there is a way to get the medicine you need at a better price.

Pharmacists have access to the most up-to-date information about medicines and their side effects (Opens in new tab). They can also help to explain information about medicines and health conditions.

You might find information about medicines online. If it's from a different country, the recommended dose or use of a medicine could be different. Your pharmacist can help you with local information about doses and safety.

Some medicines are not safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Always check with your doctor or a pharmacist before you take any medicine while you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Some pharmacies are open outside of normal business hours. The pharmacist on duty may be able to answer health questions when your regular doctor is not available.

Your pharmacist can guide you on medicines and doses for your child. It's especially important to check with your pharmacist if:

• your child is taking more than one medicine
• your child has a health condition that affects their liver or kidneys
• your baby was premature
• you don't know how to measure the medicine

Check with pharmacy staff before you give your child any over-the-counter medicines (Opens in new tab) or alternative or complementary medicines (Opens in new tab).

Check with the pharmacist if your child has been prescribed medicines by more than one doctor.

You can use the Pharmacy Guild find a pharmacy (Opens in new tab) page. You can ask a friend or neighbour to suggest a pharmacy.