Federal trial will let pharmacists prescribe contraceptives and treat simple UTIs
13 Mar 2026
Under the trial, pharmacists who are properly trained will also be able to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) without patients needing to book in with a doctor.
About 250,000 concession card holders aged 18–55 are expected to use the new pharmacy prescribing services during the pilot.
The Government says it is still waiting on advice from the Pharmacy Board on a national standard for prescribing contraceptives, due in July.
The move has been criticised strongly by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). RACGP Vice President Dr Ramya Raman said women’s health should not be treated as a test case.
Dr Raman told newsGP that missing just one medical risk factor could be dangerous, and that easier access should not come at the cost of safety.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright also called the trial “dangerous”, saying more patients were receiving incorrect or insufficient treatment when medications were provided by someone other than a GP. He warned that care could become more fragmented and that patient safety must come first.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey, welcomed the announcement. He noted that since pharmacy prescribing for UTIs started in 2020, around 145,000 women have received care through about 4,000 pharmacies. He said pharmacists would follow clinical training and protocols to keep patients safe.
It has been reported that the Pharmacy Guild has spent significant amounts on political donations and events with senior federal figures.
Dr Raman said policies must be based on evidence and called for the safety results of such trials to be openly published. She said general practice is willing to help improve access, but not at the expense of safety standards.
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said the trial was designed to give women more choice, lower costs and better access to important health services.
The changes form part of the Government’s $792.2 million women’s health package announced before last year’s federal election.
The trial was announced shortly after the Victorian Government expanded pharmacist prescribing of the oral contraceptive pill, a decision that has caused some debate within state politics.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: newsGP / RACGP statements (reported nationally)