Feb 26, 2025

Should pharmacists be able to provide the pill over the counter without a script?

Should pharmacists be able to provide the pill over the counter without a script?
A new national trial could see pharmacists supplying the pill over the counter—no GP visit needed. [iStock].

As we head towards a federal election, the Labor government recently announced a funding package worth A$573 million for women’s health.

The funding includes $100 million to support two national trials for pharmacies to provide the oral contraceptive pill and treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infections over the counter.

The question of whether or not pharmacists should be able to provide the oral contraceptive pill without a prescription from a GP has long been a topic of debate.

We asked five experts for their thoughts. Should pharmacists be able to provide the pill over the counter without a script?

Four out of five said yes. Here are their detailed responses.

The Conversation

Phoebe Roth, Health Editor, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. If a Woman is already on the contraceptive pill then I suppose it would be ok as long as the Woman’s health is fine!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Relentless, Demanding and Unappreciated

Last year RN Irene McInerney swapped to working nights in the residential aged care facility where she works. She felt she was no longer able to do the job properly on the day shift. “There had been a change in staffing. We had eight carers to 84 residents, where we used to have at least... Read More

Julie Collins retains Labor’s Aged Care portfolio

  Julie Collins MP will continue in Labor’s Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors, while Ged Kearney has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Aged Care. Ms Collins has also been appointed Shadow Minister for Women. “I thank Anthony Albanese for the opportunity,” said Ms Collins in a statement. “The next... Read More

Why people with disability and their carers fare worse after floods

Homeless and looking for help – floods expose social inequities and exacerbate the housing crisis for people with disability and carers in regions like Lismore and the Northern Rivers in NSW. How can we minimise this when disasters strike? Read More
Advertisement