Sydney women will soon have easier access to the contraceptive pill under a pharmaceutical trial which is set to be expanded state-wide.
The trial is likely to ease the pressure on GPs with patients able to access a prescription for the medication through a registered pharmacist.
Patients will no longer have to see a GP for their prescription unless it is their first time accessing the pill.
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The trial will incorporate over 900 pharmacies across NSW and will extend over a period of 12 months.
Patients will be able to access the prescriptions from Wednesday and are expected to save significant fees by avoiding GP costs.
Pharmacists will receive a $20 payment per consultation to cover administrative costs.
According to Health Minister Ryan Park, the trial is set to help ease the pressure on the health system.
“This initiative is not only making it easier for people to access medicines, it is also alleviating pressure on our GPs and primary care services,” he said.
The expansion of the trial comes after a successful pilot phase which enabled women suffering from UTIs to access the medication from pharmacies without a prescription from a GP.
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