By ANNA USHER

Lower north shore women can now get their oral contraceptive pill without a GP visit.

Two local pharmacies, Neutral Bay Pharmacy and Terry White Chemmart Mosman, are among the first 30 across NSW to offer the service from this Friday.

The reform, introduced by the Minns Government, allows pharmacists to prescribe and supply the pill to low-risk women aged 18 to 49 without a doctor’s referral.

It is designed for women who are already on the pill and simply need a repeat – not a new prescription.

“We can only supply if the person has been started by a GP in the last two years and doesn’t have a script – they can now go to a pharmacy for supply without a prescription,” a pharmacist at Neutral Bay Pharmacy confirmed with Mosman Collective. “They can bring their old box as proof.”

Who is eligible

To qualify, women must be between 18 and 49 years old, taking the pill for contraceptive purposes, and have been prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive continuously for the last two years by a GP or nurse practitioner.

The pharmacist can only resupply the same type and brand previously prescribed.
Women will need to bring photo ID, their Medicare card and proof of their previous prescription – or the name and contact details of their usual doctor or practice.

The consultation is private and confidential and includes a blood pressure check. The resupply is valid for up to 12 months.

What happens next

The 30 pharmacies rolling out the service this week are just the start of a much larger expansion.

“These are common sense changes that make it easy for women to access essential medication without needing to visit a GP,” Premier Chris Minns said.

A new partnership with Family Planning Australia will fund a subsidised training course for 100 rural, remote and underserved metro pharmacists. The two-week course rolls out in October, with 250 pharmacists expected to be able to supply the pill by the end of the year.

“The 30 pharmacists who will be able to start prescribing from Friday are just the beginning, as we begin to roll out more training to make this care even more accessible,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison called the move a “real win” for the women of NSW.

Neutral Bay Pharmacy is at 177 Military Rd, Neutral Bay. Terry White Chemmart Mosman is at 2/2-6 Spit Rd, Mosman.