NSW Health is improving access to the contraceptive pill for women, with eligible pharmacists now able to prescribe it directly for women over the age of 18.
The move means women will be able to access the pill through their eligible local pharmacy, without needing to book a GP appointment.
The NSW government will pay for the first 5,000 consultations with a trained pharmacist. Once exhausted, the service is expected to cost between $20 – $60 per consultation.
“This investment is about addressing gaps to women’s access to contraception options in the health system, particularly for women where cost, service availability and location limit access to care,” said NSW Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM
“Improving access to long-acting reversible contraception supports equitable access to essential reproductive healthcare, ensuring the most women in NSW can access even more options of contraception in a timely, simpler and appropriate way.”
Pharmacists trained with a graduate certificate from James Cook University will be able to prescribe contraception for women at lower risk of complications, and after the participation in a NSW induction to reproductive health course.
It is anticipated that up to 60 pharmacists will be eligible to start, with more pharmacists coming online as they complete the graduate certificate.
Participating community pharmacists will be able to resupply additional contraceptive options, including:
- Additional oral contraceptive pills;
- The medroxyprogesterone acetate injection;
- The combined hormonal contraceptive ring.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia will also be releasing national guidelines on endorsed pharmacist prescribers.
“This announcement recognises trained community pharmacists can safely deliver essential women’s health services where and when women need them,” said Senior Vice of President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, Catherine Bronger.
“Expanding pharmacists ability to initiate and continue contraception is vital to improving access for women facing cost, time or postcode barriers to seeing a GP.”
Once endorsed by all Health Ministers, Universities will be able to apply to have their courses accredited and pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training will have an endorsement on their registration.
“This is basic healthcare for millions of Australian women – and this is about making it easier to get that care, without extra cost or hassle,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“Just because something’s always been done a certain way, it doesn’t mean it’s the best way to keep doing it – it’s not working for busy women to access a doctor to get a script.
“Being able to go to your local pharmacy and sort it out quickly just makes sense.”
