NSW pharmacists will be able to prescribe the contraceptive pill directly to women without a doctor’s appointment.
The reforms, announced Wednesday by the state government, will give women faster, easier access to contraception and take pressure off doctors.
“Being able to go to your pharmacy and get it fixed quickly makes sense,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“This is essential health care for millions of Australian women, and this is about making it easier to access that care, without extra cost or hassle.”
It follows a clinical trial that began in September, which allowed pharmacists to give women their own contraceptives.
To date, 773 pharmacists have been registered with Healthdirect to provide a refill service in NSW.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said this would address gaps in critical reproductive health care, particularly for women where cost and location limit access to care.
The NSW Government will cover the first 5000 consultations with a trained pharmacist with an investment of $4.5 million, after which women can expect to pay between $20 and $60 per consultation.
The Royal Australian College of Physicians has strongly opposed such measures in Victoria, arguing pharmacists lacked the clinical experience to distinguish between similar conditions in the stressful retail environment.
In March, the university reported 64 medical errors involving pharmacists identifying patients, including patients being prescribed drugs to treat suspected urinary tract infections that turned out to be herpes and cancer.
Pharmacists who have completed a post-graduate certificate course from James Cook University and completed a NSW training for reproductive health course will be able to prescribe contraceptive pills to women over 18 who are at low risk of complications.
The state government expects 60 pharmacists will be eligible to begin prescribing, with more to do so once they complete certification.
“Contraception is not a ‘nice to have’ for women,” Youth Minister Rose Jackson said.
“It is a fundamental part of our life, when you are empowered to control your reproductive health, you have the ability to control your life.
“For too long, young women have had to jump through unnecessary and expensive hoops to get a regular prescription for the birth control pill.”
In addition to the new prescribing ability, pharmacists will also be able to dispense more contraceptive methods, including additional oral contraceptives, medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, and the combined hormonal contraceptive ring.
Health Minister Ryan Park said expanding family planning options would help communities access faster and easier health care across NSW.
Catherine Bronger, senior vice-president of the Pharmacy Association of Australia’s NSW branch, said the announcement recognized that trained pharmacists could provide the service safely, which would improve access, particularly for women who face barriers to seeing a doctor.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia will issue national guidelines for licensed pharmacists. After approval by all health ministers, universities will be able to apply to have the same approved courses for pharmacists who want to prescribe.
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