Canberrans who already use an oral contraceptive pill may obtain a re-supply at one of five participating pharmacies as part of a new trial.

Under the pharmacy trial, which is being led by NSW Health and the University of Newcastle, 18- to 35-year-olds may be able to get their next supply of the pill after a consultation with a participating pharmacist if they have been:

• taking their existing pill for contraceptive purposes; and
• continuously prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill in the last two years by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

The five pharmacies participating in the trial are:

• Capital Chemist Charnwood
• Gold Creek Discount Drug Store
• The Pharmacy on Petrie (Civic)
• Erindale Pharmacy
• Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy

“This is a great step forward for Canberra women, aged 18-35 years, to have their scripts refilled for the oral contraceptive pill at a time that suits them, at the five participating community pharmacies within the ACT,” Simon Blacker, president of the Pharmacy Guild ACT Branch, said.

“It’s a good example of community pharmacies partnering with GPs and other health professionals to treat common health conditions with increased accessibility, in a safe and efficient way to unclog the health system.

“The ACT has now joined NSW, Queensland, and Victoria in the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill to women by community pharmacists. Community pharmacies in the ACT are ready to do more for patients’ health by having community pharmacists working to their full scope of practice, and we look forward to working further with the ACT Government on this.”

This initiative expands on the trial of pharmacists supplying medications to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

For more information visit on the pharmacy prescribing trial for the oral contraceptive pill or uncomplicated UTIs, visit www.health.act.gov.au/pharmacy-trial

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health, said pharmacists play an increasingly important rôle in the health system.

“Pharmacists provide a critical service as trusted and accessible health professionals to their communities,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“They are often a first point of contact for consumers and carers and are significant contributors in our health care system.

“Enabling pharmacists to supply certain low-risk medications when it is safe to do so is one way of providing more timely access to medications and treatments for Canberrans, and reducing pressures on primary health care providers and our emergency departments.

“The highly trained pharmacists participating in the trial will be able to have a conversation with eligible Canberrans to determine whether they can provide medications, or whether the person needs to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.

“The ACT Government recognises the important role of pharmacists in the health care system, and welcomes the opportunity, through this trial, to see where that role can be safely expanded for the benefit of the community.”

Earlier this year, the ACT Government also expanded the vaccines pharmacists can administer in the ACT without a prescription. ACT pharmacists can now administer vaccines to certain age groups for:

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Diptheria, tetanus, a cellular pertussis (dTpa) 
• Human papillomavirus
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal (ACWY only)
• Poliomyelitis
• Typhoid
• Herpes zoster virus