NSW pharmacists begin prescribing contraceptive pill as new rules take effect

NSW pharmacists begin prescribing contraceptive pill as new rules take effect

15 Jun 2026

The reform allows eligible pharmacists to prescribe the contraceptive pill to low-risk women aged 18 to 39, without the need for a GP appointment.

Initially, 30 pharmacists have completed the required training, with the NSW Government expecting around 250 pharmacists to be qualified by the end of the year.

To support the rollout, the Government will fund the first 5,000 consultations, excluding the cost of the medication. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has also announced a new two-week training program, scheduled to begin in October, to expand the number of pharmacists able to provide the service.

The course will be delivered in partnership with Family Planning and subsidised for pharmacists working in rural, remote, and under-served metropolitan areas.

While the Government says the change will improve access to contraception, the reform has sparked debate about patient safety and the role of pharmacists in prescribing medicines they also supply.

Minister Park defended the program, saying pharmacists operate under strict clinical guidelines and protocols.

The rollout follows the release of evaluations from NSW pharmacy prescribing trials for oral contraceptives and urinary tract infections.

The studies found that 1,946 women received contraceptive care through pharmacies over a 12-month period. Around 7% of patients were referred to a GP, while a similar proportion sought care from another health professional within four weeks of their pharmacy consultation.

Researchers involved in the evaluations said effective collaboration between pharmacists and GPs was a key factor in the success of the trials.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has responded by calling for stronger integration between pharmacy services and general practice, rather than positioning pharmacy prescribing as a replacement for GP care.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said pharmacists can play an important role when working as part of a general practice team, helping improve patient care and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.

The college is also urging the NSW Government to conduct further research before making permanent policy decisions, complete analysis on antibiotic prescribing safety, assess the impact on healthcare equity, and require more comprehensive prescribing qualifications for pharmacists.

The RACGP says future healthcare models should strengthen collaboration between pharmacists and GPs to ensure patients receive safe, coordinated, and accessible care.


NSW pharmacists begin prescribing contraceptive pill as new rules take effect

Source: newsGP

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