The Carroll Labor Government is expanding Chemist Care Now – saving Victorians time and money.

Women can now access a one-month resupply of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) at participating pharmacies.

Consultations are free. They will only need to pay for the cost of the medication at the counter.

To access medication women must be aged 45 to 59 or aged 30 years older with confirmed surgical menopause.

They must also have seen their GP in the last 12 months and have used the same MHT for at least six months.

It’s a big help, especially for regional women who may have a harder time accessing GP services quickly.

The pharmacists who deliver this service have completed specialised training to ensure safe and high-quality care.

Before dispensing medication, pharmacists must undertake a thorough consultation in a private room and outline any risks.

Those who need further care will be referred to a medical practitioner.

Chemist Care Now is also expanding to include certain reflux medicines over the counter.

It comes as 126 pharmacists complete Monash University’s Graduate Certificate of Pharmacist Prescribing.

The postgraduate course is backed by the Carroll Labor Government – giving pharmacists the option to upskill and join Chemist Care Now.

Supporting the workforce means more Victorians can access care, closer to home.

Since launching, Chemist Care Now has delivered more than 100,000 services at more than 900 pharmacies.

26 per cent of participating pharmacies are in the rural and regional areas.

Women have benefited most, accessing more than 68 per cent of the total services.

This includes 50,000 uncomplicated UTI treatments and 23,000 consultations for hormonal contraception resupply.

Find where Chemist Care Now is offered near you at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/chemist-care-now.