THE ACT has now joined NSW, Queensland, and Victoria in the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill to women by community pharmacists.

Under the pharmacy trial, which is being led collaboratively by NSW Health and the University of Newcastle, people aged 18 to 35 may be able to get their next supply of the pill after a consultation with a participating pharmacist if they have been:

• taking their existing pill for contraceptive purposes; and
• continuously prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill in the last two years by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

This initiative expands on the current ACT government trial of pharmacists supplying medications to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

“This is a great step forward for Canberra women, aged 18-35 years, to have their scripts refilled for the oral contraceptive pill at a time that suits them, at the five participating community pharmacies within the ACT,” Pharmacy Guild ACT Branch President, Simon Blacker said.

“It’s a good example of community pharmacies partnering with GPs and other health professionals to treat common health conditions with increased accessibility, in a safe and efficient way to unclog the health system.”

The five pharmacies participating in the trial are:

• Capital Chemist Charnwood
• Gold Creek Discount Drug Store
• The Pharmacy on Petrie (Civic)
• Erindale Pharmacy
• Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy

Earlier this year the government also expanded the vaccines pharmacists can administer in the ACT without a prescription. ACT pharmacists can now administer vaccines to certain age groups for:

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Diptheria, tetanus, a cellular pertussis (dTpa) 
• Human papillomavirus
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal (ACWY only)
• Poliomyelitis
• Typhoid
• Herpes zoster virus