More women in New South Wales will have easier access to the oral contraceptive pill as a trial designed to reduce pressure on the state’s healthcare system becomes permanent.
Under the changes, from Saturday women will be able to get a resupply of their pill from a certified pharmacist without needing to go back to the doctor for a new prescription – as long as they have been taking the medication for two years.
The over-the-counter trial started in September last year, with the service limited to women aged 18 to 35. The permanent scheme means the age eligibility criteria will be expanded to include those aged from 18 to 49.
A similar scheme has been implemented in Queensland, while a trial is under way in Victoria.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said it had been a “huge success” and hoped that making it permanent policy would lead to better outcomes.
“We know that people across NSW are doing it tough right now, even cutting back on essential healthcare because of affordability,” he said.
“At a time when seeing a GP can be difficult, we hope that this service will make it a little bit easier for women to access affordable healthcare, where and when they need it.”
The state health minister, Ryan Park, said the government was looking at expanding the role of pharmacists across the state after announcing that treatment for issues including ear infections, gastro and acne would soon be available from pharmacies.
“By empowering pharmacists … we can help improve access to primary care services which will relieve the pressure on the state’s busy GPs and our hospital system,” he said.
The Royal Australian College of GPs criticised the expansion, accusing the government of putting politics before safety.
“This is politically driven policy and it has potentially devastating consequences … due to the risks of incorrect treatment and serious illnesses being missed,” the RACGP NSW chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, said this month.
“The NSW government is kidding itself if it thinks this move will do anything to reduce pressure on the state’s overflowing hospitals.”
Thursday’s development has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s NSW branch senior vice-president, Catherine Bronger.
“Making the availability of the pill at community pharmacies is the right thing for women and our communities,” she said.
