Pharmacists in Victoria will be allowed to treat minor health conditions and reissue contraceptive prescriptions under a Labor election promise.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday announced a $19 million, 12-month pilot project from the middle of 2023 about expanding the role of community pharmacists to treat issues such as urinary tract infections.
The government would pay pharmacists $20 per consultation and patients would pay no more than the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment for any medications required.
"Community pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge and experience. It just makes sense to expand their role," Mr Andrews said.
"It will ensure Victorians can get the timely care they need, while saving families money and taking the pressure off GPs."
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian branch president Anthony Tassone endorsed the pilot, appearing alongside Mr Andrews for the announcement.
"Measures like this that enable pharmacists to do more in helping treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections with antibiotics, reissue prescriptions for oral contraceptives go a long way to helping patients get the care they need," he said.
Mr Andrews also announced an incentivisation program to lure doctors into general practice.
If re-elected, his government would spend $32 million offering financial incentives for doctors who enrol in the GP training program, including a $30,000 top-up payment for first-year trainees and $10,000 per trainee on the costs of their exams in their first year.
The Liberals on Wednesday announced a coalition government would bring forward its $2 flat daily fare for metro public transport by six months to January 1, if it is elected on Saturday.
Undecided Victorian voters awarded Mr Andrews a narrow victory over Liberal counterpart Matthew Guy in their first and only leaders debate of the election.
After a bitter election campaign, the pair largely showed restraint as they faced off before 100 undecided voters at the Box Hill Town Hall on Tuesday evening.
It took about 30 minutes for the pair to trade blows, with the coalition's plan to quarantine all new gas discovered in Victoria for state-only use the source of contention.
The combatants later sparred over integrity and Victoria's mounting debt, but ultimately the discussion circled back to health.
The people's forum vote gave Mr Andrews a narrow edge, scoring the debate 38 per cent to 34 per cent in his favour with 28 per cent undecided.