Women struggling to get medical appointments to renew oral contraception scripts can now breathe a sigh of relief as a 12-month trial of pharmacists dispensing the oral contraceptive pill has been made permanent by the NSW Government.

More than 500 pharmacies took 2,000 consultations during the trial period and now it's set to expand. 

As of the end of September, pharmacists will be able to incorporate this service if they complete the required training and have the facilities needed within their business. 

The Government has expanded the eligibility from 18 - 49 years now able to access supply for up to three months without a doctor’s visit.  

“We know that people across NSW are doing it tough right now, even cutting back on essential healthcare because of affordability,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns. 

“This trial has been a huge success, and now we'll make it permanent - women who are eligible will be able to go to their pharmacist to renew an existing script. 

“At a time when seeing a GP can be difficult, we hope that this service will make it a little bit easier for women to access affordable healthcare, where and when they need it." 

If a woman requires a new script and has been using contraception continuously for the last two years that has been prescribed by a GP, they will be able to attend a participating pharmacy and access a further twelve months supply, taking away the need to visit the doctor. 

Condobolin Pharmacist Karina Watson of Shortis & Timmins, said the program has proven beneficial since the pharmacy joined the trial over12 months ago. 

"Condobolin is in a good situation currently where we have increased our GP numbers significantly in the last three months, but there were other periods where we were really struggling and there were long wait times, it made it an easy point of call for those patients to attend their local pharmacy to renew their scripts, especially as we are open on Saturday mornings for those who work rurally, in the mines or long hours," Ms Watson said.

"The training for access to the program was relatively easy, although it was a bit involved, we were able to do it via webinars which meant we could still keep working and not have to travel away to complete the training, which was ideal for a rural pharmacy." 

The announcement comes off the back of a successful trial first phase UTI Service in May 2024, where more than 18,000 consultations saw 3,300 pharmacists assist patients with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. A third phase is underway which will see pharmacists manage minor skin conditions, all taking a load off the already overflowing doctor’s rooms.