Repeat supply of oral contraceptive to be available in pharmacies

The Medicines Classification Committee has recommended that women will soon have a more convenient option when considering their contraception supply thanks to efforts from Green Cross Health and Natalie Gauld Ltd in driving a submission to allow trained Pharmacists to dispense repeat supplies of oral contraceptives to women who have previously had them prescribed.
 
Both combined oral contraceptives and progesterone-only pills will soon be available from Life and Unichem Pharmacists throughout the country so long as you have previously had them prescribed.
 
“This ground-breaking initiative is in line with the Ministry of Health’s Better, Sooner, More Convenient approach and allows New Zealand women convenient access  to oral contraceptives through their Pharmacist,” says Alison Van Wyk, Head of Professional Services for Green Cross Health; the parent company behind Life and Unichem pharmacies.
 
“Pharmacists are key providers of primary care within their communities and committed to offering convenient, safe access to medicines and services.  As trained health professionals, they are well-equipped to consult with women about their contraception needs and provide an accessible option for women to obtain oral contraceptives.”
 
Approximately 200,000 women in New Zealand currently take oral contraceptives. Until this point, initial and repeat prescriptions were available only from a GP, Family Planning Clinic or specialist.  
 
“By no means are we setting out to replace other medical professionals,” says Van Wyk. “We are simply offering a convenient option provided by professionals who deal with sensitive issues like contraception on a daily basis.”
 
With their customer’s consent, Pharmacists will notify their Doctor of the supply of the oral contraceptive. 
 
“This is key to ensuring the sharing of important health information between health professionals,” says Van Wyk.  
 
“In recent years the role of Pharmacists has expanded significantly to include the dispensing of a number of products without a prescription, such as treatment for urinary tract infection and we are delighted with this latest decision.”
 
“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.”
 
The announcement coincides with the Medicines Classification Committee’s recommendation to make flu vaccines available from a trained pharmacist to people 13 years and over. It was previously available in pharmacy only to those aged 18 and over.
 
This recommendation is aimed at making immunisation more convenient and accessible for everyone in New Zealand.



NOTES

• 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 3 month supply.  
• As medicines specialists, Pharmacists have over the last five years 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 Medicines Classification Committee recommendation for pharmacies to supply up to 6 months’ supply of oral contraceptives on repeat prescriptions is expected to be approved on February 9.