Huge change in one state to make it easier for millions to buy a popular drug without a GP appointment

Published: 02:08, 15 April 2026 | Updated: 02:11, 15 April 2026 Doctor's appointments to get a prescription for the pill could soon be a thing of the past as pharmacists prepare to offer their services to millions of women. Up to 60 pharmacists will soon be eligible to start providing consultations with women over 18 who wish to access contraception in NSW, the state government announced on Wednesday. NSW is the latest state to join the growing trend towards expanding access to contraception beyond the GP's office, with Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania all having enacted similar changes. Consultations with a pharmacist are expected to cost up to $60 once the first 5,000 consultations have taken place in the state, of which the government has pledged to cover the cost. Since September 2023, more than 750 pharmacies have participated in a statewide trial to resupply the pill for women who already have a prescription. The government says the expansion will take pressure off GPs and give women access to faster care, but it's likely many will have to wait months to see a difference. Only pharmacists with a graduate certificate from James Cook University will be able to prescribe the pill for women at low risk of complications after they have undertaken a government induction course. Graduates with training from other universities will have to wait until their institution's courses are accredited to deliver the program, which will only occur after all the country's health ministers endorse national guidelines from the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Doctor's appointments to get a prescription for the pill could soon be a thing of the past as pharmacists prepare to offer their services to millions of women (stock) NSW Premier Chris Minns made an announcement on social media (pictured) Due to the restrictions, it is expected about 60 pharmacists will be eligible to prescribe when the expansion kicks in, with more to come once they complete the graduate certificate. While the initial rollout will be modest, the government is bullish about the positive effects of the historic change. 'This is basic healthcare for millions of Australian women - and this is about making it easier to get that care, without extra cost or hassle,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said. 'Just because something's always been done a certain way, it doesn't mean it's the best way to keep doing it.' Doctors groups have previously expressed concern at similar plans, saying the changes prioritise politics over evidence-based public health measures. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victorian chair Anita Munoz said bypassing doctors was a 'shortcut' driven by industry lobbying when Victoria enacted similar changes in March. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.