Victorian pharmacists expand access to menopause hormone therapy
08 Oct 2026
Women in Victoria can now receive a one-month resupply of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) from participating pharmacies, under an expanded state pharmacy program. The change has raised concerns from a Victorian GP about whether easier access could affect ongoing patient care.
The Victorian Government has expanded Chemist Care Now to include one-month MHT resupplies for eligible women. The program already allows participating pharmacists to provide treatment for conditions including urinary tract infections and contraception.
Qualified pharmacists can also now provide treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
RACGP Victoria Deputy Co-Chair Dr Aadhil Aziz said he was concerned about patient safety, even when the pharmacy service was only providing one repeat prescription.
He said access to medicines was important, but patients also needed proper follow-up when using MHT.
MHT is commonly prescribed, but treatment can involve risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Patients also need information about how to use the medicine, possible side effects and when further medical care may be needed.
Women who present with menopause or possible perimenopause symptoms should have a comprehensive health assessment. This should include appropriate health screening and advice about healthy lifestyle choices.
Australian menopause guidelines also recommend regular reviews of MHT to check whether treatment is working, whether symptoms are improving and whether there are any side effects or risks.
Dr Aziz said regular GP care could also help identify other health issues and ensure routine screening and vaccinations were not missed.
He stressed that GPs and pharmacists should continue working together, with patients referred to a doctor when further assessment or care is needed.
To qualify for an MHT resupply through the Victorian program, women must be aged 45 to 59, or aged 30 or older with confirmed surgical menopause.
They must also have seen their GP within the past 12 months and have been taking the same MHT for at least six months.
Victorian Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the change was intended to make access to care easier for women living with menopause.
Pharmacists providing the service must complete specialised training and conduct a private consultation. They must also explain relevant risks before supplying the medicine.
Eligible consultations are free, although patients still pay for the medicine.
About 520,000 women across Australia accessed PBS-listed MHT between March 2025 and September 2026, with around three million prescriptions supplied.
Chemist Care Now began as a pilot before becoming permanent in 2025. It has since provided more than 100,000 services across more than 900 pharmacies, with women accounting for almost 70% of services.
The program is designed to improve access to care closer to home. About 26% of participating pharmacies are located in rural and regional areas.
Medicine supply has also remained an issue for women using MHT. Shortages and supply disruptions have made some treatments difficult to obtain, particularly patches containing estradiol.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration's Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument for MHT products was introduced in November 2024 to help manage shortages. It has now been extended until 28 February 2027.
Dr Aziz said GPs needed to see patients who were affected by shortages so they could discuss suitable alternatives.
Victorian pharmacists expand access to menopause hormone therapy
Source: RACGP newsGP; Victorian Government; Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA); Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care