Overview
- Under a state plan starting June 1, eligible pharmacists in NSW will be able to prescribe the oral contraceptive to adults 18 and over without a GP visit.
- NSW will cover the first 5,000 consultations with $4.5 million in funding, after which patients are expected to pay about $20 to $60 per visit.
- Only pharmacists who complete a James Cook University graduate certificate plus a NSW reproductive health induction can prescribe at launch, with roughly 60 to 70 expected to qualify.
- Pharmacists may prescribe only for lower‑risk patients, and anyone with red flags such as a history of blood clots will be referred to a GP.
- The rollout extends a resupply trial that has 773 registered providers, and national guidelines now being developed could accredit more courses and widen access as GP groups raise safety concerns.