From today, South Australian women can visit a participating pharmacy for an assessment to access a resupply of their contraceptive pill.

The service is available to females aged17 to 50 who have previously been prescribed an oral contractive pill by a registered medical practitioner and meet certain clinical criteria.

More than 130 pharmacists across the state have already completed the training required to offer the service, with a further 170 currently undertaking the training process.

To be able to access the pill over the counter, women must have been taking the pill continuously for at least two years and had a review from a medical practitioner or authorised prescriber during that time.

Women aged 17 to 40 can access one pack at a time for a maximum 12-month supply, while those aged 41 to 50 can access one pack without a new script before being referred to their GP for a review.

Before renewing a script, the pharmacist will conduct an assessment to determine whether resupply is safe and appropriate.

Meanwhile, more than1300 South Australian women have accessed a one-off course of antibiotics to treat an uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) from the pharmacist without a script, since the service was introduced in March this year.

Women with recurrent infections, additional symptoms, or those at risk of complications will be referred to the GP for further assessment.

SA Health Director Medicines and Technology Programs Anita Abarno said the changes provided better access to healthcare and greater flexibility for South Australian women.

“These new services complement those already available through other health providers including GPs, ensuring women have enhanced access to timely care,” Ms Abarno said.

“Community pharmacists are required to undertake additional approved training before offering both programs, with women requiring further care to be referred to their GP or health practitioner.”

For more information, visit SA Health.