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Improved access to contraceptive services for women and girls in Queensland

9 August 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the commencement of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot, which will improve access to high-quality and integrated contraceptive services for Queensland women and girls.

Queensland pharmacists participating in the Pilot can now enrol in PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Contraceptive Service – Queensland training program. Once completed, Queensland pharmacists can immediately begin offering the service to Queensland women.

The commencement of the Pilot comes just days after PSA launched Pharmacists in 2030, which outlines a vision for pharmacists in delivering greater access to care for all health care consumers by increasing and leveraging the accessibility of pharmacists to address unmet health needs.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim congratulated the Queensland government for recognising the expertise pharmacists to contribute to women’s health through enabling better access to hormonal contraception

“Pharmacists are accessible, trusted health care professionals who are well placed to assist women to access their preferred hormonal contraception,” she said. “This pilot opens up one more option for women in Queensland to access when considering their contraceptive options.”

“Women and girls around the country deserve improved access to care. Contraception access is not a luxury, but a basic health care need. We urge governments across the country to follow suit, enabling improved access to contraceptive services.”

“PSA has been and will continue to work collaboratively with governments and stakeholders to ensure these services can be implemented professionally, effectively and safely.” she said.

PSA’s CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris encouraged pharmacists to undertake training to deliver contraception prescribing services.

“Pharmacists prescribing hormonal contraception will mean more accessible care for Queensland women, putting patient care first and ensuring safe and effective contraception options are available when and where they’re needed,” he said.

“PSA has worked closely with Queensland Health to certify our training program which uses case-based learning powered by artificial intelligence – a world first in pharmacist education. The simulated clinical environment uses the most life-like patient simulations possible to hone pharmacist communication and clinical skills in providing more timely and safe access to hormonal contraception.”

“I encourage all community pharmacists in Queensland pilot pharmacies to engage with this training now so that we can all collectively improve women’s access to hormonal contraception across the state,” he said

 

PSA’s recently launched Pharmacists in 2030 vision can be found here: https://www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/pharmacists_in_2030/

PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Contraceptives Service – Queensland training program can be found here: https://my.psa.org.au/s/detail/a11GB00000Lgbdw