Australian-first program expands Tasmanian pharmacist's role to ease pressure on GPs

Consumers will be able to get medications like the contraceptive pill and asthma puffers for a month without a prescription if they run out. (Pixabay)

From next Monday, Tasmanians will be able to get a month's worth of certain medications from their local pharmacist if their prescription has run out and they can't get into a doctor.

The Tasmanian government said the program – an Australian first — would help reduce the pressure on GPs, cut red tape and curb emergency department presentations.