Victoria Expands Pharmacy Role to Prescribe the Pill
10 Mar 2026
The Victorian Government says the change will make access easier, but the RACGP has strongly criticised the decision.
From July, around 850 participating pharmacies across the state will offer the service. Women will be able to consult a specially trained pharmacist and receive a prescription for the pill during the visit.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the change is designed to save women the trouble of trying to book a GP appointment.
She said many women spend time searching for a bulk-billing GP and then rearranging their day around the appointment, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
However, the move has been criticised by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
RACGP Victoria Chair Anita Muñoz said the policy goes against safety advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Dr Muñoz said the college is disappointed with the decision and believes patient safety standards should not be reduced in an effort to improve access to care.
Since 2023, Victorian pharmacists have already been allowed to resupply an existing prescription for the pill. Around 17,000 women have used that service so far.
Under the new program, the consultation with a pharmacist will be free, but patients will still need to pay for the medication itself.
Pharmacists who want to provide the service must complete additional training. They will also need to conduct a full consultation, discuss possible risks, and explain other contraception options, including long-acting reversible contraception.
George Tambassis said the change will improve access to contraception for women across Victoria.
He said allowing trained pharmacists to prescribe the pill will give women more choice and faster access to care.
The prescribing change is part of the state’s Chemist Care Now program. Over the next two years, the initiative plans to add 23 more treatments, including the resupply of hormone replacement therapy.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
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