Tasmanian pharmacies able to give contraceptive access and soon fill interstate scripts

Tasmanian pharmacies can now provide hormonal contraception without prescriptions, cutting wait times for women who previously faced lengthy delays accessing reproductive healthcare.

Youngtown Pharmacy pharmacist Nicole Francis with premier Jeremy Rockliff and health minister Bridget Archer discussing changes to pharmacy care. Picture: Alison Foletta

Tasmanian pharmacies now have the ability to give women access to hormonal contraception, which pharmacists say will reduce women waiting for GPs.

At Youngtown Pharmacy on Sunday, Health Minister Bridget Archer said the expansion of pharmacies scope of practice, and opening hours, was allowing women “being able to access healthcare where they need it, when they need it.”

“From this month pharmacists will be able to initiate hormonal contraception,” Ms Archer said.

“Meaning there’s that continuity of care for women who might need to access hormonal contraception but also the fact they’ll be able to have treatment initiated in a pharmacy.”

Youngtown Pharmacy pharmacist Nicole Francis said the pharmacy was excited to have more accessible healthcare.

“We believe making women’s reproductive health more accessible will be great for women,” she said.

The hormonal contraception available from the pharmacy without a prescription includes combined oral contraceptives, progesterone-only pills, also known as the mini pill, long-acting progesterone depos, which is an injection, and vaginal rings.

Ms Francis said long wait times were often a barrier to women accessing hormonal contraception.

“By making it more accessible, women won’t have such a long wait,” she said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the broader scope of healthcare support by pharmacists meant better healthcare for Tasmanians.

“We’ve done a broad range of practice in a very considered and measured way,” he said.

“Given broader scope of practice to access healthcare sooner, that alleviates pressure on our Tasmanian GPs and provides better healthcare sooner for Tasmanians,” he said.

Further expansions for pharmacists will start in 2026 which will reduce barriers in accessing medication.

“Pharmacies will be able to dispense medications through prescriptions issued interstate,” Mr Rockliff aid.

“They include psychostimulants for ADHD, opioids and medical cannabis.”

Originally published as Tasmanian pharmacies able to give contraceptive access and soon fill interstate scripts