Oral Contraceptive Pill Trial

Oral Contraceptive Pill Trial available at select NSW stores only

About the NSW Pharmacy Trial

From September 2023, eligible women in NSW can visit one of more than 1000 pharmacies to receive a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill (the pill) as part of the NSW Pharmacy Trial. If you meet the following criteria, eligible women can receive a resupply of their lower-risk oral contraceptive pill at a participating pharmacy: being female, aged between 18 to 35 years (inclusive), and taking the pill for contraception purposes only (to prevent unplanned pregnancy). If you were prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill in the last two years by a doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner. If you have run out of repeats, or your prescription (script) has expired but was issued in the last two years, you are still eligible. Not all oral contraceptive pills will be available.

What is an oral contraceptive pill (the pill)?

The oral contraceptive pill, commonly known as "the pill," serves as a pregnancy prevention method and is administered in tablet form.

Low-risk pills contain minimal levels of estrogen or solely consist of progestogen.

While the pill is generally safe for most women, it's worth noting that estrogen has been associated with a very slight risk of blood clots and strokes.

What are the risks of taking the pill?

The pill is generally safe for most women; however, there exists a minimal risk associated with it, including:

Occurrence of blood clots, specifically deep vein thrombosis.
Increased risk of heart attack and stroke in women, particularly if they smoke, have diabetes, or high blood pressure.
It is crucial to have a discussion with your doctor regarding the potential risks of taking the pill, taking into account factors such as your age, medical history, family medical history, and lifestyle. It's important to remember that the pill may not provide absolute protection against unplanned pregnancy, and it does not safeguard against sexually transmitted infections.

There are alternative, longer-acting contraceptive options available that can offer higher reliability in preventing unplanned pregnancies. You can consult with a pharmacist, your GP, or a nurse practitioner to explore these alternatives.

How many months supply of the pill can the pharmacist give me?

Pharmacists can dispense a single packet of your oral contraceptive pill during each visit. Certain types of these pills contain more than one month's worth of supply in each packet. If you meet the eligibility criteria under the NSW Pharmacy Trial, your pharmacist can supply you with additional pill refills for up to 12 months beyond your initial prescription.

Do I need to show the pharmacist my original script for the pill?

No, it's not mandatory, but it's helpful if you can bring in the pill packaging to indicate what you've been using.

In the event that your prescription has lapsed, you may not meet the eligibility criteria, as one of the supply conditions requires that you haven't taken a break from taking the pill since your last consultation with the prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner.

Book an appointment

Schedule your appointment through our online booking platform using the form below.

Fill out the the form

Submit the NSW Pharmacy Service Study Consent Form electronically.

Bring your E-consent validation code

Present your E-consent validation code when you come in for your scheduled appointment.

FAQ - Oral Contraceptive Pill

1How long will the trial run for?

Each phase of the trial will run for 12 months. The oral contraceptive pill phase of the trial began in September 2023.

2As part of the trial, which contraceptive pills are eligible for resupply by a pharmacist?

In the context of the trial, a participating pharmacist is authorised to provide resupplies of specific Combined Oral Contraceptive pills (COC) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP or mini-pill). COCs consist of a combination of two hormones, namely estrogen and progestogen, whereas POPs, or mini-pills, exclusively contain progestogen. Participating pharmacists are allowed to resupply pills that contain the following types of estrogen and progestogen: Ethinyloestradiol (40μg or less), Levonorgestrel, Norethisterone, Drospirenone (single ingredient preparations only). Numerous brands of these pills are accessible, each with varying hormone types and dosages. It's important to note that your pharmacist cannot alter the type of pill you are currently taking. However, if multiple brands are available for the same type of pill you are using, you can discuss your brand preference with your pharmacist.

3Can the pharmacist supply me with a different pill to the one I currently take?

No, the pharmacist must supply the same pill that you were prescribed by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

4How often should I talk to my doctor about my pill?

It is recommended that you discuss your pill with your doctor regularly. You should speak to your doctor earlier if you: are worried about any side effects, have any new medical conditions that you have not discussed with your doctor, start taking new medicines at the same time, have stopped taking the pill for one month or more, but will be starting to take the pill again, think you might be pregnant.

5Are pharmacists already able to provide the pill without a new script?

Pharmacists are already able to dispense a four-month emergency supply of an oral contraceptive pill as well as dispense emergency contraception. As part of the NSW Pharmacy Trial, pharmacists will be able to continue a script issued by a doctor or nurse practitioner for up to 12 months for low-risk oral contraceptive pills. If you are more likely to experience side-effects or serious health conditions, the pharmacist will recommend that you speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner.

For more information on the NSW Pharmacy Trial for the Oral Contraceptive Pill, please visit the NSW Health Frequently Asked Questions on their website.