*This article was updated on Tuesday 15 September 09:12. See footnote.

A rural generalist appointed to advise the NSW Government on expanded pharmacist prescribing has quit, saying his expert group’s safety concerns have been repeatedly brushed aside despite the potential threat to patients.

It comes days after NSW Premier Chris Minns stood before the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and announced pharmacists would, in a new trial, be allowed to prescribe for and treat ear infections and wounds, along with having a greater role in managing chronic conditions.

Mr Minns said he was also looking at pharmacists diagnosing, prescribing and supplying medications for antivirals in aged care and mild asthma and then thanked “his great friends from the guild”, adding he would “not back down” from his pharmacy reforms when faced by those who “had an interest in the status quo”.