The NSW government has just made it easier to access the contraceptive pill at the chemist. This is what's changing
Only some oral contraceptive pills will be included as part of the trial. (Unsplash: Melany Tuinfosalud)
From today many women across New South Wales will no longer have to go to their GP every time they need a new script for the oral contraceptive pill.
As long as their doctor or nurse practitioner has written them a prescription for the pill in the past two years, eligible women can now visit one of 900 pharmacies to get a resupply of the same medication.
The trial is not available to everyone though. This is what you need to know.
Who can access the contraceptive pill via the chemist ?
The only cost for accessing the service will be the cost of the medication.
Women who are aged 18 to 35-years-old are eligible and they must be taking the pill for contraceptive purposes only.
Only certain types of combined oral contraceptive pills and mini pills are included in the scheme.
The scheme will initially operate as a 12-month trial at participating pharmacies.
The only cost will be the cost of the medication.
Why is this change happening?
The government says the scheme will take the pressure off GPs and be more convenient for women, because pharmacies tend to be open outside business hours and no appointments will be necessary.
It follows a similar trial of pharmacists supplying common antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The state's Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant, said it was still important for women to have a general practitioner and regularly engage with them.
"However, we know that access to general practice is sometimes very challenging and there are other barriers," Dr Chant said.
"We are wanting to support more timely access and facilitate that patient choice."
What role will there be for GPs?
Women who are under 18 or over the age of 35 will still need to visit their doctor to access the pill, as will women who take certain pills that are not eligible because of a higher risk of side effects.
Women who take the pill for purposes other than contraception will also have to see their GP for prescription and resupply.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the scheme has been structured to ensure that doctors still see patients who are at higher risk.
"What we are focused on is making sure that we can make healthcare available to women in a way that is easy, cost effective and simple, but also safe," he said.
Royal Australian College of GPs NSW chair Charlotte Hespe is worried some women may not interact with a doctor for two years.
"Our concerns are for those who there may well be all sorts of things that could have been talked about ... and provided good counselling and health advice," she said.
"Domestic violence, screening for cervical cancer, mammograms, sexually transmitted diseases ... But more importantly, from my perspective, having conversations about safer forms of contraception."
Dr Hespe said women may not be aware most oral contraceptive pills contain estrogen, and other methods without that hormone, were available.
Who is monitoring the trial?
The trial to access the oral contraceptive pill without going to the GP for a new script began on Wednesday. (ABC)
The ethics approved clinical trial is being led and monitored by the University of Newcastle.
The university is working with a multidisciplinary team including GPs, clinicians, pharmacists, rural clinicians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to make sure the trial is safe for women.
Will other kinds of medication be made available like this?
Dr Chant said that the scheme will soon be expanded so that pharmacists can supply certain prescription medications for some kinds of skin conditions.