Women to get prescriptions from pharmacists
NSW pharmacists will be able to prescribe birth control pills directly to women without a GP appointment.
The reform, announced by the state government on Wednesday, will give women quicker and easier access to contraception and take pressure off GPs.
“It makes sense to be able to go to your local pharmacy and get the problem sorted quickly,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“This is essential healthcare for millions of Australian women and this is about making it easier to get that care without extra cost or hassle.”
This follows a clinical trial that began in September allowing pharmacists to resupply birth control pills to women.
To date, 773 pharmacists are registered with Healthdirect to provide resupply services in NSW.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant said this would address gaps in basic reproductive health, especially for women where cost and location limit access to care.
The NSW government will pay for the first 5000 consultations with a trained pharmacist, with an investment of $4.5 million; After that, women can expect to pay between $20 and $60 for the exam.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has strongly opposed similar moves in Victoria, arguing that pharmacists do not have the clinical experience to distinguish between seemingly similar conditions under the pressure of a retail environment.
university in march Released a dossier containing 64 allegations of medical malpractice It involves pharmacists misdiagnosing patients, including patients who were prescribed antibiotics to treat suspected urinary tract infections that turned out to be herpes and cancer.
Pharmacists who have attended a postgraduate certificate course from James Cook University and completed a reproductive health training course in NSW will be able to prescribe birth control pills to women over 18 who are at lower risk of complications.
The state government projects that 60 pharmacists will be able to begin prescribing, and more will do so after completing certification.
“Contraception is not a ‘nice to have’ for women,” said Youth Minister Rose Jackson.
“It’s a fundamental part of our lives. When you have the power to control your reproductive health, you can take control of your life.
“For too long, young women have had to go through unnecessary and expensive inroads to obtain routine prescriptions for oral birth control pills.”
In addition to the new prescribing powers, pharmacists will be able to offer more contraceptive options, including additional oral contraceptives, medroxyprogesterone acetate injection and the combined hormonal contraceptive ring.
Health Minister Ryan Park said expanding contraceptive options would help communities access fast and convenient healthcare across NSW.
Catherine Bronger, senior vice president of the NSW branch of the Australian Pharmacists Association, said the announcement recognized that trained pharmacists could deliver the service safely, which would increase access, particularly for women who face barriers to seeing a GP.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia will publish national guidelines for approved pharmacist prescribers. Once approved by all health ministers, universities will be able to apply to accredit similar courses for pharmacists who want to prescribe.
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