Access to selected oral contraceptives in pharmacy

Women to have access to selected oral contraceptives in pharmacy

A positive recommendation by the Medicines Classification Committee to the Minister of Health signals an end to a three-year process to have selected oral contraceptives made available to women by their pharmacist.

14th February 2017, AUCKLAND, NZ: A Medicines Classification Committee recommendation means that women will soon have the option of getting their oral contraceptives from a pharmacist, thanks to efforts from Green Cross Health and Natalie Gauld Ltd in driving submissions.

This allows trained pharmacists to dispense supplies of oral contraceptives to women who have previously had them prescribed by a medical practitioner within the past three years.

Both combined oral contraceptives and progesterone-only pills will soon be available from Life and Unichem pharmacists throughout the country, providing women with another convenient option to obtain their contraceptives.

“This is a ground-breaking decision by the Ministry of Health and is in line with its Better, Sooner, More Convenient approach, as well as reflecting our own commitment to provide greater access to healthcare and advice,” says Alison Van Wyk Group Manager- Professional Services for Green Cross Health - the organisation behind Life and Unichem pharmacies.

“Alongside General Practice and Family Planning services, pharmacists are key providers of primary care in their communities and are well-equipped to consult with women about their contraception needs, having already done so for some time with the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill.”

Approximately 200,000 women in New Zealand currently take oral contraceptives. Until now, repeat prescriptions were available only from a GP, Family Planning clinic, nurses who can prescribe or a specialist.

Access to oral contraceptives through pharmacists without a prescription has been growing internationally, says Dr Natalie Gauld, medicines reclassification specialist.

“Women in the Netherlands and some US states are already enjoying the benefits that come with it and we applaud the Ministry of Health for now making this possible within New Zealand.”

Associate Professor Helen Roberts from the Department of Obstetrics + Gynaecology at the University of Auckland supported the move to reclassify oral contraceptives in New Zealand.

“We have seen overseas that women are able to access oral contraceptives in pharmacy and it is a positive step for women in New Zealand to have the choice where they access their contraceptive”.

“We are simply offering another convenient option provided by health professionals who deal with personal health issues like contraception on a daily basis. We see this as another great opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues in General Practice.”

With the patient’s consent, pharmacists will notify their doctor of the supply of the oral contraceptive.

“This is key to ensure the sharing of important health information between healthcare providers,” says Van Wyk.

“Women lead busy lives and it makes sense for us to do what we can as healthcare professionals to give them improved access to the healthcare and medication they need. We are confident that the training provisions put in place for pharmacists in conjunction with this decision will ensure that New Zealand women can access oral contraceptives safely and conveniently.”

Over the past five years, pharmacists have become vaccinators against serious diseases, provided treatment for urinary tract infections without the need for a prescription as well as treatment for erectile dysfunction. The oral contraceptive is the latest addition to pharmacy services and is expected to be available from trained Unichem & Life pharmacists within the next 3-4 months.

Ends

Notes for editors:

• Customers must be between the ages of 16 – 39 for the combined oral contraceptive, and between 16 – 52 for progesterone only pill

• Between 140,000 and 202,000 women in New Zealand take an oral contraceptive

• More than 50,000 Emergency Contraceptive Pills were prescribed to customers through Unichem and Life pharmacies alone last year

• The cost to customers will be $45 for a three-month supply of oral contraceptives

• Pharmacies can supply up to six months’ supply of oral contraceptives on repeat prescriptions when they have been previously prescribed by a medical practitioner in the last three years

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