The state is ignoring TGA advice and ‘watering down’ safety standards.
This morning the Victorian Department of Health put out a media release spruiking its script-free, doctor-free chemist-prescribed contraceptive program, and the RACGP is not best pleased.
“Get The Pill At Your Local Chemist Without A Script,” headlined the DoH announcement.
“From July, women over 18 will be able to access the oral contraceptive pill at one of 850 participating Chemist Care Now pharmacies.”
The RACGP came out swinging, saying the Victorian government had weakened its medicines safety regulations by enabling pharmacists, rather than medically trained prescribers to initiate scripts for the oral contraceptive pill.
RACGP Victoria chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the announcement prioritised political expediency and industry lobbying over evidence-based public health.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Victorian government appears to be listening to lobbyists for pharmacy owners rather than the medicines experts, the TGA, whose guidance exists to protect patient safety,” she said.
“At a time when the government faces a challenging political environment in an election year, it has chosen a shortcut on women’s healthcare instead of investing in the evidence-based solutions that actually improve access.
“This stands in stark contrast to the federal government’s recent investment in women’s healthcare, which is the model we should be following. Watering down safety standards is not a safe or effective way to improve access to care.”
Dr Muñoz said GPs would continue supporting patients and working constructively with pharmacists despite the pressures placed on the sector.
“GPs will always be here for our patients as access continues to improve in the primary care system,” she said.
“We also support our pharmacy colleagues, who are increasingly being asked by their employers to take on more and more responsibility as a substitute for improved pay, conditions, and proper workforce planning for retail pharmacy staff.”
The Victorian Department of Health said that since it began as a pilot in 2023, more than 76,000 services had been delivered by pharmacists across the state.
One of those services is a resupply of an existing oral contraceptive pill prescription, which has been accessed by 17,000 women since 2023.
Over the next two years, Chemist Care Now will grow to include another 23 treatments – including the resupply of hormone replacement therapy.
Currently treatment is also available for uncomplicated UTIs, skin conditions such as shingles and travel vaccines.
Pharmacists who want to deliver this service will be required to complete a postgraduate training module to keep women safe. Before dispensing the medication, pharmacists must undertake a thorough consultation and outline any risks.
They will also provide comprehensive advice about other options, including long-acting reversable contraception.
