Local pharmacists play a key role in our health system.
28 October 2025
In brief:
- Pharmacies are one of the most convenient places to get healthcare advice and treatment.
- Many offer services you may not be aware of.
- This article lists some ways your local community pharmacy can help you and your family.
Did you know ACT pharmacies can help with much more than just filling prescriptions?
Pharmacies are one of the most convenient places to get healthcare advice and treatment. And many can assist in ways you may not be aware of.
Pharmacists play a key role in our health system, and sticking with a trusted local pharmacy has many benefits.
Read on to find out more about ways your local community pharmacy can help you and your family.
Convenient opening hours
Here in Canberra, we have several community pharmacies that stay open late at night and on weekends.
You can view them using the Health Direct service finder tool.
Quick help for UTIs
If you think you might have a urinary tract infection (UTI) but can’t see your GP, your local community pharmacist might be able to help.
Community pharmacists undergo comprehensive training to ensure safe and effective care for non-pregnant women aged 18–65 with uncomplicated UTIs.
This means your local community pharmacist may be able to provide an assessment and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs. This may include antibiotic supply if clinically necessary.
Not sure if your local community pharmacy offers this? Find out via the Find a Pharmacy website.
Oral contraceptive pill resupply
Some local community pharmacies may be able to resupply the oral contraceptive pill (the pill) without a prescription.
To qualify you must be:
- a woman or person with a uterus aged 18–49 (inclusive)
- taking the pill for contraception (birth control).
You must have been prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill continuously for the last two years by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
You can only receive the same type of pill you’ve been prescribed before.
Contact your local community pharmacy to check if they offer this service.
Need help with prescriptions?
If you run out of a regular medication and just can’t get to your doctor, your local community pharmacist might be able to help or direct you to appropriate care.
It’s best to use the same pharmacy regularly. This way they can see your medication history and give you the right advice.
Vaccinations made easy
Pharmacies provide a wide range of vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, shingles, whooping cough, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and RSV.
If you’re heading overseas, your local community pharmacist can also help with travel vaccines and essential travel supplies.
Wound care and first aid
Got a cut or scrape? Your pharmacist can:
- give advice
- help clean and dress the wound
- show you how to care for it at home with the right products and dressings.
Medication supply and management
Pharmacists work closely with doctors and other health professionals to make sure your medicines are right for you.
They can also recommend over-the-counter or generic medicines that may save you money.
Some local community pharmacies can organise blister packs to help you take the right medicines at the right time.
Having side effects from medication? Your GP can refer you to your pharmacist for a home medicines review to find better options.
Door-to-door delivery
Too unwell to leave home? Some local community pharmacies may deliver your medications.
Check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer this service. A delivery fee may apply.
Absence from work certificates
If you have a minor illness or injury, your local community pharmacist may be able to issue an absence from work certificate.
Pharmacists can give you a certificate when you’re suffering from minor issues like:
- a cold or flu
- allergies or asthma
- nausea and vomiting.
They may also issue a certificate when you’re caring for a sick family member.
If your illness or injury is beyond a pharmacist’s ability to assess, they will refer you to a doctor or other relevant healthcare professional.
Other helpful services
Many local community pharmacies offer extra services such as:
- testing and treatment for sleep apnoea
- weight management support
- quit smoking support
- injections for some medicines, such as Vitamin B12
- mobility aids like walkers, crutches, and moon boots.
Clear communication
If you speak a language other than English, you can still chat with your pharmacist.
They can use the Free Interpreting Service and be connected to a telephone interpreter within a few minutes.
It’s important you can communicate effectively with your local community pharmacist, so they have the information they need to give you accurate advice.
Before you visit
It’s a good idea to call ahead to check if your local community pharmacy provides the service or medication you need.
You can search for pharmacies and make bookings online through the Find a Pharmacy website or the Health Direct service finder tool.
Remember, pharmacies may charge a fee for providing certain services.
Other healthcare options
If you don’t have a GP you can find one using the find-a-health service.
Remember, you can always visit a Walk-in Centre if you have an injury or illness that is not life-threatening.
You can also visit a Walk-in Centre if you have an injury or illness that is not an emergency.
The ACT’s five Walk-in Centres provide free, one-off treatment of non-life threatening injury and illness.
Find out more about our Walk-in Centres.
View other places to get help when it’s not an emergency on the Canberra Health Services website.
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