ALLOWING pharmacists to dispense the oral contraceptive pill over-the-counter (OTC) will potentially put women's health at risk, an academic claims.
In an article on The Conversation, Chair of Community Based Health Education at the University of Wollongong, Associate Professor Mark Wilson, warned that "in bypassing their GPs to get the pill directly from the pharmacy, women could lose out on reproductive health care and preventive healthcare more broadly".
Wilson said moves to down-schedule the drugs could also impact the efficacy of the products provided to women.
"There are many different contraceptive pills, with varying dosage of synthetic hormones," Wilson said.
"A GP consultation to discuss the pill requires considerable time taking the patient's history, measuring her blood pressure and weight, and discussing contraceptive options.
"There may be a number of reasons a particular woman should not take the pill."
He added that "Australian pharmacists are not trained to conduct consultations regarding contraceptive options and reproductive health."
While Wilson was against OTC contraceptive pills he said, "pharmacists do know a great deal about the range of contraceptive medications that are prescribed by doctors, and have an important role in educating women about correct medication use and potential side effects."
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