Eligible NSW pharmacists can initiate, change or resupply the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) for eligible low-risk women in the community pharmacy setting.
Pharmacies must have appropriate facilities and ensure that participating pharmacists have completed approved university-level training through James Cook University.
Pharmacists who plan to offer this service must first complete the Intention to provide expanded community pharmacy services in NSW form.
NSW Health is running a community pharmacy pilot program which will fund the first 5,000 eligible consultations ($60 per consultation for initiation of the OCP and $32 per review consultation) for low-risk eligible women who are seeking to be supplied with the OCP from a pharmacist (the pilot will not fund the cost of any medication).
Pharmacists and pharmacies must comply with clause 48B of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (the Regulation) and the associated approved protocol issued by the Health Secretary.
Key requirements include:
Specific eligibility criteria are in place to ensure patients receive safe and appropriate care.
To receive oral contraceptive pill services at a pharmacy, patients must be:
*The term 'female' is used to include all people presumed female at birth
To provide this service, pharmacists and pharmacies must comply with:
Pharmacists who have successfully completed the required training and intend to provide this service in NSW must submit the Intention to provide expanded community pharmacy services in NSW form. The form must be resubmitted if details change (such as place of practice).
Pharmacists should ensure they read all relevant documents thoroughly and comply with all protocol requirements when delivering this service.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to ensure their clinical knowledge and skills are up-to-date.
Pharmacists must obtain informed clinical consent prior to providing care. This includes informing patients of all out-of-pocket costs as outlined below:
NSW Health is running a community pharmacy pilot program which will fund the first 5,000 eligible consultations ($60 per consultation for initiation of the OCP and $32 per review consultation) for women who are seeking to be supplied with the OCP from a pharmacist (the pilot will not fund the cost of any medication).
Key features of the pilot include:
To participate in the pilot, patients must complete the approved screening questionnaire and patient consent form prior to consultation. If the screening questionnaire and consent form are not completed, the consultation will not be counted under the pilot program.
Patients must be informed of all costs (including that the OCP will be supplied at private non-PBS cost and that Safety Net does not apply) and provide consent before participating.
The pharmacist consultation for initiation of OCP will be provided to the pharmacist by NSW Health for an eligible consultation $60 per consultation for initiation of the OCP and $32 per review consultation.
Pharmacies who provide this service are responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date service listings via Healthdirect Service Finder. Please see directions for creat ing and maintaining your listing for more information.
Pharmacies may promote the service offering using their own developed materials in accordance with relevant guidelines. Refer to Advertising health services | Therapeutic Goods Administration
Pharmacists should reach out to their member organisations in the first instance for further advice and support regarding service provision.
If you have any concerns or complaints regarding pharmacist management of this service or concerns about the appropriateness of pharmacy consultation areas please see the making a complaint page.
Concerns about professional practice and care can also be made to the Health Care Complaints Commission or the Pharmacy Council of NSW.
The following pharmacies currently provide oral contraceptive pill initiation services:
Always contact the pharmacy before attending to confirm a participating pharmacist is available.
