💊 Understanding Pharmacist Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Consults

Pharmacist Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Consults

Fast, accessible care — when you need it most

If you’ve ever experienced the burning or discomfort of a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know how quickly symptoms can appear — and how important it is to get the right care fast.

Thanks to the recent pharmacist scope of practice expansion, trained community pharmacists across Australia can now offer Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) consults, helping women access timely treatment and advice without delay.

But awareness is still growing — many people don’t yet know that they can now speak directly to a pharmacist for UTI assessment and management.

👩‍⚕️ What happens during a pharmacist UTI consult?

Most UTI consults begin when a woman visits the pharmacy describing symptoms such as:

• A burning sensation when urinating,

• Needing to pass urine more often or urgently,

• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, or

• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine.

From there, the pharmacist will:

1. Conduct a private consultation — usually in a consultation room or private area.

2. Ask structured questions to assess symptoms, medical history, and possible causes.

3. Determine if antibiotic treatment is appropriate, based on strict clinical guidelines.

4. Prescribe and dispense the antibiotic if suitable.

5. Provide a management plan including hydration advice, symptom monitoring, and what to do if symptoms persist or worsen.

⚖️ Not every urinary symptom is a UTI

During UTI consults, pharmacists often discover that symptoms may be caused by other conditions, including:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

• Fungal (yeast) infections

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or trichomoniasis

• Genital herpes

In these cases, the pharmacist will not supply antibiotics, but instead refer the person to a doctor or sexual health clinic for further investigation and testing.

This process ensures that antibiotics are used safely and responsibly, and that patients receive the right diagnosis and treatment for their symptoms.

💰 Cost and availability

At participating pharmacies, pharmacist UTI consults are available free of charge depending on your state’s health program.

Consultations typically take 10–15 minutes, and no appointment is required — simply ask to speak to the pharmacist privately when you arrive.

💡 Why pharmacist UTI consults matter

UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections among women, and quick access to care makes a big difference.Pharmacist UTI consults improve convenience, reduce waiting times, and support antibiotic stewardship by ensuring treatment decisions follow evidence-based criteria.

❤️ Your Health Ally’s view

At Your Health Ally, we believe pharmacist UTI consults are a major step forward in making health care more accessible, timely, and safe. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms might be a UTI or something else, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you understand what to expect, what’s within pharmacist scope, and when to see a doctor.

📍 Need more information?

Visit your nearest participating pharmacy or check your state health department website for pharmacist UTI consultation availability.

For personalised medication and symptom advice, visit👉 www.yourhealthally.com.au