NSW makes contraceptive pill scheme permanent, with pharmacies to offer 12-month refill without new script

Women who use the oral contraceptive pill will be able to get up to 12 months of supply from a pharmacist without a new script, with the NSW government announcing a trial scheme will be made permanent from this Saturday.

Eligibility will also be expanded to include women aged 18 to 49. The trial, which began 12 months ago, excluded women aged 36 and over.

Premier Chris Minns said the permanent scheme would reduce the need for a visit to the doctor.

"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," he said.

The announcement threatens to intensify a turf war with doctors, with GPs expressing concern about the growing list of medical issues pharmacists were now consulting on.

In June, pharmacists were given permanent rights to consult patients with "uncomplicated" urinary tract infections and a trial of a similar arrangement for minor skin conditions is currently underway.

'Stringent' training for pharmacists

Pharmacists who have received the required training will be allowed to give up to 12 months' supply of some 'low-risk' contraceptive pills to women who have used them continuously for the past two years.

According to NSW Health, 'low-risk' pills contain only small amounts of estrogen or only contain progestogen.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the government had consulted with doctors and pharmacists to ensure "specific and stringent" training was in place.

Patients won't need to show the pharmacist their existing script, but will be asked to take their pill box along to the consultation so their current medication can be verified.

They will be asked their name and date of birth, whether they have any medical conditions, when they last spoke to a doctor about the pill, and whether they have experienced side effects.

Their height, weight and blood pressure will also be taken and they will be asked to explain why they are using the pill, because the scheme will only apply to women using it for contraception.

Patients taking it for other reasons like acne or endometriosis will still need to get a prescription from a doctor if they need a resupply.

Doctors expressed concern with trial

The trial, which began in September 2023, involved more than 500 pharmacies, which provided more than 2,000 consultations to women seeking resupply of the pill.

Mr Park said the trial had shown no "adverse activity" in the participants' health.

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) previously warned the policy could result in women skipping medical appointments, therefore missing out on screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer or sexually transmitted diseases.

The RACGP also argued that a patient's suitability for certain contraceptive pills could change over time, and that regular GP visits were necessary.

The health minister said while a regular GP visit was advisable, it was not always possible

"[It's] becoming more and more challenging for people to either access a bulk billing GP or access a GP in a timely manner," he said.

"They do phenomenal work, but they are challenged at the moment in terms of their demands."

The trial excluded women aged 36 and over, with NSW Health stating patients in that age group should speak to their doctors to discuss their cardiovascular health.

However, the permanent scheme will include women aged 36 to 49.

To manage any potential risks, the health minister said patients in that category wouldn't be eligible for a full 12-month supply.

"[That's] because we want to make sure that there is a regular engagement with a GP," he said.