It’s a typical weekday morning in regional Queensland.

With a troubling cough that has persisted for several days, 55-year-old Sarah calls for an appointment with her GP. The earliest they can see her is next Thursday afternoon, six days from now. A telehealth appointment is possible, but not appropriate for her symptoms. Anxious and uncomfortable, she heads to a nearby emergency department, where she waits six hours until seen.

Finally, she is diagnosed with a mild respiratory infection, prescribed an antibiotic, and released. It’s something that could have been handled by a local pharmacist, too — if only they were empowered to examine and treat her...