SA pharmacists now authorised to renew contraceptive pill prescriptions
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For the first time in South Australia, women already on the contraceptive pill can now skip a visit to the doctor and get their prescription renewed at the pharmacy.
The convenient and cost-effective change is expected to significantly benefit busy women seeking reliable access to contraception.
Women already using the contraceptive pill can obtain up to a 12-month supply directly from one of 130 pharmacies equipped to provide the new service.
Another 170 pharmacies are expected to start offering the service soon.
This initiative builds on the success of a similar program launched in March, which enables women to receive treatment for urinary tract infections directly from pharmacies.
Patient Peta Yates said she thought the change was “amazing”.
“It takes away from the stress of A money and B finding the time to having to take time off work to go to a doctor’s appointment,” she said.
The South Australian government is actively exploring additional ways to leverage the expertise of community pharmacists, considering the expansion of the list of medications they can prescribe.
But concerns have been raised by some medical professionals.
“I think to extend the scope of practice is a big issue and I think it raises a lot of safety concerns,” Dr Clare Keogh from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.