Pharmacists in Victoria will conduct almost half a million consults under the state’s pharmacy prescribing trial, treasury officials have predicted.

As part of his re-election bid last year, Premier Daniel Andrews pledged a year-long trial of pharmacists diagnosing and treating UTIs and skin conditions, and extending scripts for contraceptives. 

He said the state would cover the $20 paid to pharmacists per consult and subsidise the cost of medications, limiting the out-of-pocket cost to PBS co-payment prices.

A financial estimate from the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance has illustrated the extent of the government’s plan.