Pharmacy Daily | GPs slam pharmacist Pill initiation

THE Royal Australian College of GPs has accused the Victorian Government of putting women at risk by allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives (PD 06 Mar).

RACGP Victoria chair Dr Anita Munoz said that in overriding repeated warnings from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the announcement prioritises political expediency and industry lobbying over evidencebased 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 evidencebased solutions that actually improve access.

"Watering down safety standards is not a safe or effective way to improve access to care," she said.

With pharmacists in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Tasmania already prescribing the contraceptive pill, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victoria Branch welcomed the announcement, saying the reform will significantly improve access to reproductive healthcare and reduce pressure on the state's primary care system.

"This is a practical, patient-focused reform that will make it easier for Victorian women to access the contraception they need, when they need it," Guild Victoria Branch president, George Tambassis said.

"Community pharmacies are often open for extended hours, do not require appointments, and are in almost every community across the state.

"By enabling pharmacists to prescribe oral contraception following additional accredited clinical training, the Victorian Government is improving access to care while maintaining strong safety and quality standards."

With WA and SA committed to allowing pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraception later this year, Guild president Trent Twomey has called upon the NSW and ACT governments to get on board with the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, Kate Gunthorpe, deputy chief pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart, used International Women's Day yesterday to reaffirm the role of access to contraception in women's health and autonomy.

"Access to contraception is a fundamental part of women's healthcare," Gunthorpe said.

"On International Women's Day, it is important to recognise that practical access to services like contraception plays a critical role in supporting women to make informed decisions about their health," she explained.

"By enabling trained pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception, we are giving women more choice, greater convenience and faster access to care in their local communities," she concluded. KB