Lexi Webster
In Australia, contraceptive pills are available through prescription from a medical professional. In Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, women can obtain a prescription for resupply of the oral contraceptive pill from their pharmacist without seeing a doctor. This initiative aims to improve access to healthcare, particularly in regional areas with limited access to GPs. The pill, which contains oestrogen and progesterone, is taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against STIs. In the event of unprotected sex, emergency contraception or the 'morning-after pill' is available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Contraceptive pills availability over the counter | Available in NSW and Queensland |
| Prescription requirement | Not required if it is not the first time taking the medication |
| Cost | No out-of-pocket costs |
| Availability in South Australia | Available from 6 May 2024 without a doctor's prescription if certain clinical criteria are met |
| Eligibility criteria in South Australia | Women aged 17 to 50 years |
| Transgender and gender-diverse inclusion | Services are inclusive of transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary individuals assigned and/or presumed female at birth |
| Training requirements for pharmacists | Accredited training is provided by the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) |
| Clinical guidelines for pharmacists | The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare UK Medical Eligibility Criteria: for contraceptive use, UKMEC 2016 (Amended September 2019), Therapeutic Guidelines, Australian Medicines Handbook, and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Professional Practice Standards 2023, version 6 |
| Effectiveness | Requires daily intake at the same time every day; effectiveness may be reduced by vomiting, diarrhea, or certain medications |
| Protection against STIs | Does not protect against STIs |
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What You'll Learn
- Contraceptive pills are available over the counter in NSW and Queensland
- They are not free, but the new scheme saves women the cost of visiting a GP
- Pharmacists providing pills must complete approved accredited training
- The pill does not protect against STIs
- Emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, is available in Australia
Contraceptive pills are available over the counter in NSW and Queensland
Women in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland will now be able to obtain a prescription for the oral contraceptive pill from their pharmacist without seeing a doctor. This scheme has been implemented to make it easier for women to access affordable healthcare and ease the pressure on GPs.
The NSW chief health officer, Kerry Chant, said that the scheme has been particularly popular in regional areas, which often have fewer GPs available. In the first few months of the scheme, nearly 3,000 women in NSW were able to get easier access to assessment and treatment under the UTI prescription scheme.
In Queensland, a similar pilot program has been expanded across the state. Under this program, Queensland pharmacists will be able to prescribe the pill and asthma medications. The pilot was initially planned for north Queensland, but now hundreds of additional pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines for more common health conditions after registering and undergoing training.
In South Australia, a similar program will be implemented from 6 May 2024. Under this program, women aged 17 to 50 years will be able to speak to trained community pharmacists for advice and access to a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill without a doctor's prescription, provided they meet certain clinical criteria.
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They are not free, but the new scheme saves women the cost of visiting a GP
Contraceptive pills are not free in Australia. However, women in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland can now obtain a prescription for the oral contraceptive pill from their pharmacist without having to see a doctor. This scheme is expected to save women the out-of-pocket costs of visiting a GP for a prescription.
This change in policy is the result of a 12-month trial, starting in September 2023, which involves more than 900 pharmacies across NSW. The scheme has been particularly well-received in regional areas, where access to GPs is often limited.
Under the new scheme, women in NSW and Queensland can obtain a prescription for a resupply of the pill from their pharmacist, as long as it is not the first time they have taken the medication. Pharmacists providing this service must complete approved accredited training on contraception beforehand. The training is currently provided by the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
In addition to the contraceptive pill, pharmacists in Queensland can also prescribe asthma medications, medicines for nausea and vomiting, nasal congestion and runny nose treatments, mild skin condition treatments, some heart disease risk reduction, and support to quit smoking.
From May 2024, a similar scheme will be implemented in South Australia, allowing women aged 17 to 50 to obtain a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill without a doctor's prescription, provided they meet certain clinical criteria. This service is inclusive of transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary people assigned and/or presumed female at birth.
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Pharmacists providing pills must complete approved accredited training
In Australia, contraceptive pills are available over the counter in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. In these states, women can obtain a prescription for a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill from their pharmacist without having to see a doctor. This scheme is especially beneficial in regional areas, where there are fewer GPs available.
In South Australia, a similar scheme will be implemented from 6 May 2024. Under this scheme, trained community pharmacists who have completed additional training will be authorised to provide a resupply of approved oral contraceptive pills to eligible patients. This service is inclusive of transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary people assigned and/or presumed female at birth.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in providing convenient and timely access to contraceptive pills. To ensure patient safety and effective treatment, it is mandatory for pharmacists to complete approved accredited training on contraception before offering resupply services. This training is currently provided by the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
The training equips pharmacists with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed clinical decisions within their scope of practice. It covers relevant professional practice standards and evidence-based clinical guidelines, such as The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC 2016) and the Australian Medicines Handbook. By referring to these guidelines, pharmacists can assess patient eligibility, determine appropriate referrals, and ensure safe and effective treatment.
Additionally, the training promotes continuity of care by emphasising the importance of documentation and record-keeping. Pharmacists are required to document consultations, including any resupply of contraceptive pills, and provide patients with a record of their consultation. This record encourages patients to share information with their GP or healthcare provider, ensuring a seamless continuation of their care.
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The pill does not protect against STIs
In Australia, contraceptive pills are not free, but they are accessible over-the-counter in New South Wales and Queensland. Women in these states can obtain a prescription for the pill from their pharmacist without seeing a doctor. This scheme is particularly beneficial in regional areas, where there are often fewer GPs available. In South Australia, a similar scheme will be implemented from 6 May 2024, allowing women to access the pill without a doctor's prescription if they meet certain clinical criteria.
While contraceptive pills are effective at preventing pregnancy, they do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are more common than many people realize, and it is important to take measures to protect yourself. The pill, patches, rings, and shots do not provide any defence against STIs.
If you are looking for birth control that protects against both pregnancy and STIs, your options are limited. The only foolproof way to avoid both is to abstain from sexual activity. However, condoms, both external and internal, are effective at preventing both pregnancy and STIs. They can be used during vaginal, oral, and anal sex to lower the risk of STI transmission.
It is important to note that condoms do not eliminate the risk of STIs entirely. Some STIs, such as herpes, are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and condoms only cover a portion of the skin's surface. However, internal condoms are slightly larger and may offer slightly more protection. Combining condoms with another form of birth control, such as the pill, can further reduce the risk of pregnancy without compromising protection against STIs.
While the pill does not protect against STIs, it is still a widely used and effective form of contraception. By combining it with condoms or other protective measures, individuals can take control of their sexual health and well-being.
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Emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, is available in Australia
In Australia, emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, is available without a prescription from pharmacies. There are two types of morning-after pill available: the levonorgestrel pill and the ulipristal acetate pill. The levonorgestrel pill should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex, and may still be effective up to 96 hours (4 days) after. The ulipristal acetate pill should be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex. Australia currently has highly limited availability of the 120-hour option, so it may be difficult to obtain. The effectiveness of both pills decreases after the first 24 hours, and they are not as effective as other contraceptive methods. They are also not suitable for regular use, as they may disrupt your menstrual cycle.
The morning-after pill can also be obtained from Family Planning NSW clinics and some GPs. When buying the pill over the counter, the pharmacist may ask you a series of questions or give you a form to fill out to ascertain if you should or can take the pill. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can ask if there is a more private space available to talk with the pharmacist. Some pharmacists may refuse to provide emergency contraception due to their religious beliefs, but this does not give them the right to lecture you about your sexual health or relationships.
Another option for emergency contraception is a copper intrauterine device (IUD). This is inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex by a trained doctor or nurse and is more effective than the morning-after pill. It can be kept in place for up to 10 years if needed or removed at any time before this. IUDs can be obtained from Family Planning NSW clinics or True Relationships and Reproductive Health.
In addition to emergency contraception, some contraceptive pills can be obtained over the counter in Australia. In Queensland and New South Wales, pharmacists are able to prescribe the pill without a prescription from a doctor, unless it is the patient's first time taking the medication. A similar scheme is being introduced in South Australia, where trained community pharmacists will be able to provide eligible patients with a resupply of approved oral contraceptive pills without a prescription.
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Frequently asked questions
Contraceptive pills are not free in Australia. However, in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland, women can obtain a prescription for a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill from their pharmacist without seeing a doctor, which saves them the cost of visiting a GP for a prescription. A similar scheme will be implemented in South Australia starting 6 May 2024.
You can get a prescription for contraceptive pills by visiting your GP, a local doctor, or a family planning clinic. They will be able to advise you on the best option. In NSW and Queensland, you can also obtain a prescription for a resupply of the pill from your pharmacist without having to see a doctor, unless it is your first time taking the medication.
Other forms of contraception available in Australia include condoms, IUDs, diaphragms, and the emergency contraceptive pill (morning-after pill). Condoms are widely available from supermarkets, pharmacies, sexual health clinics, family planning clinics, and community-based sexual health organisations.
