Ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday, the Victorian government has given the green light for chemists to supply the pill to women over 18 who have not had a doctor's consultation.
Women have been eligible to go to certain Victorian pharmacies to get a resupply of the medication since 2023 under a trial.
But the state program will be expanded from July 1 so women can get their first script and supply at one of 850 participating pharmacies.Â
Trained pharmacists will still be required to conduct a consultation and outline any risks.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the move would particularly benefit younger women and those in rural and regional Victoria.
"It's not only saving women time and saving women money - it's opening up access," she told reporters at a Northcote pharmacy in Melbourne's north on Friday.
In 2020, the federal health department estimated 81 per cent of Australian women aged 16 to 49 used some form of contraception.
It was not uncommon for pharmacists to turn away women seeking the pill because they were yet to talk to a doctor, Pharmacy Guild of Australia committee member Grace Chong said.
"This initiation of oral contraceptive will mean that when a woman comes in and wants to have that conversation with us, we don't actually have to just try and find them an appointment in two or three weeks' time," she said.
Trained pharmacists in Queensland and Tasmania can already prescribe hormonal contraceptives, including the pill, without a prior doctor's consultation.
Ms Chong, who practices in regional Queensland and Melbourne, said contraceptives made up about 70 per cent of her consults.
"That's giving access to regional people who would have to drive an hour and a half to the nearest town to see a GP," she said.
Trials operating in NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Western Australia have also opened the door for women to access a resupply of the pill.
A two-year north Queensland pilot that spurred the statewide trials was criticised by doctors after hundreds of patients reportedly suffered complications from misdiagnosis of urinary tract infections.
Ms Allan said previous criticism of the Queensland program did not recognise pharmacists were highly trained, or that it freed up time for GPs.
"We know there's huge pressure on the primary care system, that is hard to get in and find a bulk-billing appointment," she said.
"So this makes those spots available for other people while women are getting the access to the care they need."
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has been contacted for comment.
26°C