Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Service

Advancing Healthcare Access for Women

Did you know that one in two Australian women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime?[1]

Women in Queensland have been visiting their local community pharmacy and accessing a health service to identify, diagnose and treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections since June 2020 through the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland. The success of the pharmacy Pilot resulted in the service becoming a permanent feature of care in community pharmacy in Queensland, and now other states and territories are beginning to implement similar permanent or pilot services, which is tremendous news for women across Australia.

Being able to easily seek immediate advice and treatment, inclusive of the supply of antibiotics when appropriate, from your local participating community pharmacy is a huge advancement for women’s health. Community pharmacists go through extensive training to ensure they have the knowledge and expertise required to diagnose and treat uncomplicated UTI, so you can be confident that the service is safe and effective.

If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of an uncomplicated UTI, you can use the map tool located below to see if this service is available in your State or Territory and find your closest participating community pharmacy.

Community pharmacies are the most frequently accessed and most accessible health destination, with over 456 million individual patient visits annually and the vast majority of pharmacies open after-hours, including weekends. Pharmacists complete a minimum of five years training as well as on-going, mandatory professional development and have undertaken specialist training in order to deliver the UTI service.[2]

The UTI health service is open to non-pregnant women, aged 18-65 who are deemed to have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Men will not be eligible to be treated as part of the UTI health service as symptoms are not reflective of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

Treatment options may include a supply of antibiotics (if appropriate).[3] However, if through the screening process you are deemed to not have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, your treatment options may include a referral to a GP for further investigation.

  1. Urinary tract infections factsheet | Kidney Health Australia
  2. All participating pharmacists are required to undertake mandatory training prior to administering the service. This education is independently accredited with a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accrediting organisation that adheres to the Australian Pharmacy Council’s (APC) Standards and Guidelines
  3. Not all patients may be eligible for treatment and could be referred to a GP