Recently I publicly voiced the concerns of Queensland’s AMA about the increasing use of role substitution in our health system — in particular, the state government’s trial that allows pharmacists to diagnose UTIs and prescribe antibiotics.

While these comments were misconstrued by some as an attack on these health practitioners, they were welcomed by many more who — like doctors — have patients as their top priority in the healthcare system.

Under the trial — which kicked-off in mid-June — pharmacists with just three hours of online training and a 20-question multiple choice exam can charge $19.95 to diagnose customers with UTIs on the floor of their chemist shop.

That’s more than a bulk-billed GP would cost the patient.