The Minns Labor Government will invest $4.5 million to make it easier and cheaper for women to access the pill by allowing eligible pharmacists to prescribe it directly for women over the age of 18.
This means women will be able to access the pill quickly through their eligible local pharmacy, without needing to book a GP appointment.
The reform will take pressure off GPs while giving women faster, more convenient access to care.
This expansion builds on the success of the oral contraceptive pill resupply clinical trial which began in September 2023. To date, 773 pharmacies are registered with Healthdirect to provide this resupply service in NSW.
The NSW government will pay for the first 5,000 consultations with a trained pharmacist, and once this is exhausted it is expected to cost between $20 - $60 for a consultation.
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.
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 reform is about removing the time, cost and hassle that too often gets in the way of women accessing basic healthcare.
These initiatives complement broader measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for individuals and families including:
- Ensuring GPs can diagnose ADHD and provide treatment, as well as provide continuation of medication for patients;
- Expanding the treatment services available in pharmacy including for uncomplicated UTI's and common skin conditions.
Quotes attributable to Premier Chris Minns:
"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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Access to contraception should not be a burden for women, and the NSW Government is providing new solutions to make life easier, more affordable and safer for women.
"I'm excited to announce that women in NSW will now have ongoing and easier ways to continue their chosen contraception option through community pharmacies.
"Expanding the contraceptive options available as part of this announcement, will help our communities to access fast and convenient healthcare across NSW."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Rose Jackson:
"Contraception is not a 'nice to have' for women - it's a fundamental part of our lives. When you are empowered to control your reproductive health, you are able to take control of your life.
"For too long, young women have had to jump through unnecessary and expensive hoops to access routine prescriptions for the oral contraceptive pill.
"This is a practical way we can improve access to basic healthcare. It's about making life simpler, cheaper, and fairer for every young person in this state."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
"Improving women's health outcomes is a key priority for the Minns Government, and part of this is increasing access to services no matter their postcode.
"This expansion of who can first supply contraception and making more options available via pharmacists is one way we are supporting busy women across our state."
Quotes attributable to Member for Coogee, Marjorie O'Neill:
"Expanding contraceptive options and simplifying how women access contraception will help to remove barriers and strengthen women's health across our community. We're making it easier for women to access the healthcare that they deserve."
Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM:
"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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Catherine Bronger, Senior Vice of President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch:
"This announcement recognises trained community pharmacists can safely deliver essential women's health services where and when women need them.
"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."
