Thanks to our Platinum Partner Smith+Nephew for this story on Australia's first Best Practice Statement (BPS) on the role of community pharmacy in acute wound care, which marks a significant advancement for pharmacy practice. 

Developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel and supported by Smith+Nephew, The Role of the Australian Community Pharmacist in Acute Wound Care fills a long-standing gap by providing clear, evidence-based guidance tailored specifically to pharmacists managing acute wounds. This BPS has been reviewed and endorsed by Wounds Australia.

Pharmacists are increasingly positioned on the frontline of primary care. With one in four Australians unable to see a GP when needed and with emergency departments under pressure, pharmacies have become a highly accessible point of contact for everyday injuries such as cuts, abrasions, burns and skin tears. 

Despite this, there has been no unified national framework detailing how pharmacists should assess and manage these wounds safely and effectively until now. The document is available to download for free from Smith+Nephew's dedicated Pharmacy Wound Central hub.

What the guidelines cover

• A structured approach to wound assessment, including use of the T.I.M.E.S. framework (Tissue, Inflammation/Infection, Moisture, Edge, Surrounding skin), enabling pharmacists to make informed decisions about wound severity, dressing selection and the need for referral. The document also clarifies essential terminology for describing wounds and exudate, supporting clearer communication across healthcare teams. 
• Appropriate dressing selection: highlighting the benefits of advanced wound dressings that support moist wound healing and reduce unnecessary dressing changes. This approach aligns with value-based healthcare, demonstrating that while advanced dressings may cost more initially, they can lead to faster healing, fewer complications and reduced overall healthcare resource use. 
• The BPS reinforces pharmacists' critical role in infection recognition and antimicrobial stewardship, helping to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and mitigate antimicrobial resistance. 
• Patient education: empowering the public to understand how to care for wounds at home, recognise red flags and maintain healthy skin to prevent complications. 

By defining best practice for acute wound management in the pharmacy setting, this landmark document strengthens the evolving scope of community pharmacy. It equips pharmacists with the confidence, knowledge and clinical framework needed to improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of chronicity and enhance the integration of pharmacy within Australia's multidisciplinary healthcare system. 

Smith+Nephew is proud to support this first-of-its-kind initiative and remains committed to empowering pharmacists with the education, tools and innovations needed to deliver high-quality wound care to communities across Australia. More about Smith+Nephew's work to support pharmacies.

The document will also be available to download from the Wounds Australia Resources hub.

Wounds Australia's Partners

As the peak body for chronic wound advocacy, education and awareness, Wounds Australia partners with industry leaders like Smith+Nephew to drive best practice and improve wound care for more people. Explore our partners.