Queenslanders to have greater access to hormonal contraception through community pharmacists
15 March 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement from the Queensland Government, allowing trained pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception to women across the state as part of a pilot program from July 2024.
The pilot will mean women and girls aged 16 and older across Queensland can access a range of hormonal contraceptives through their local pharmacist, including:
- oral medications – the combined oral contraceptive pill (excluding those with high estrogen dose) and the progesterone-only pill.
- injected medication – Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.
- contraceptive device – the combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring.
PSA Queensland President Shane MacDonald MPS said that improving timely access to contemporary options for reproductive care is a welcome move.
“PSA’s vision is that every Queenslander has access to safe, quality, and effective healthcare through optimising the role of pharmacists. This is certainly a positive step towards achieving this,” Mr MacDonald says.
“PSA welcomes the announcement today and we look forward to continuing to work with Minister Fentiman and the Queensland Government on the education and implementation of this Pilot, as we currently do for the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
“Appropriately trained pharmacists can do more to support the healthcare needs of Queenslanders, including improving access to safe and effective hormonal contraceptives.
“By leveraging the accessibility and credibility of pharmacists, this pilot will go a long way to improve equitable and timely access to reproductive healthcare, including women living in rural and remote areas where access to care is increasingly challenging.
“On the 10-year anniversary of the nation-leading Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot, the Queensland Government has shown once again its commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for Queenslanders.”
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, who is presenting at the Women’s Health Summit in Canberra this week, calls on governments around Australia to consider how they can improve access to care.
“83 per cent of Australian women have used contraception at some point in their lives, and yet there are still significant barriers to access that need to be addressed,” A/Prof Sim said.
“We congratulate and commend the Queensland Government for their leadership and commitment to improve women’s access to contraception. Access to contraception is not a luxury, but a basic healthcare need.
“Our healthcare crisis requires all health professionals to practise to their full scope, and collaboratively, we can improve our health system’s capacity.
“I call on all governments across the country to consider measures to improve women’s access to reproductive healthcare,” she concluded.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
