From 28 May 2024, pharmacists in Western Australia can supply women who meet certain criteria with a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) without a doctor’s prescription. Pharmacists who complete the training and the steps below are authorised to supply the oral contraceptives approved in the Structured Administration and Supply Arrangement (SASA) from 28 May 2024.
Before offering this service, pharmacists must:
- Confirm their insurance coverage – the PDL Master Policy automatically includes professional indemnity cover for members who provide this service in line with the WA Department of Health SASA and the Pharmacist Resupply of Oral Contraceptive Pills Pilot – Western Australian Protocol (the Protocol).
- Complete an approved training program as outlined in the SASA.
- Complete cultural safety and gender diversity training relevant to their place of practice, reflect on their competency and provide the service in ways that are inclusive, culturally safe, sensitive and responsive.
- Ensure they have unconditional general registration with Ahpra. This means provisionally registered (intern) pharmacists are excluded from providing this service.
- Comply with all relevant legislation.
- Only offer the service from a pharmacy registered in WA and ensure that the pharmacy has a suitable area to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Ensure sufficient space in the consultation area to allow for the patient, a carer if needed and any equipment and documentation.
- Ensure they have familiarised themselves with the Protocol issued by the WA Department of Health.
Supply
Pharmacists should ensure patients meet eligibility criteria set out in the SASA and the Protocol. Pharmacists should be aware they are not permitted to initiate or change a patient’s OCP therapy. Furthermore, pharmacists should familiarise themselves with the list of OCPs that may be supplied under the Protocol, found in Appendix 2 of the SASA. Not all OCPs are approved; therefore, continuation of supply may not be possible under this service.
Documentation
Pharmacists are required to make a comprehensive clinical record of treatment and provide a service summary to the patient and/or their primary health provider. Record keeping of supply is to be in accordance with Part 12 of the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016, and details of the supply are transmitted to My Health Record. PDL strongly recommends that all record keeping is of a high standard, both professionally and clinically. PDL would like to remind pharmacists to document any declinature and referral of service, ensuring timely and appropriate action.
Interim arrangement on MedAdvisor
The SASA requires pharmacists to provide the patient with a service summary. However, MedAdvisor is working on adding the Service Summary function to the OCP resupply form. It is estimated that the function will be available by mid-June 2024. Pharmacists providing the OCP resupply service using MedAdvisor are advised to generate a GP letter as an alternative, specifying the patient identity, medicine and quantity resupplied.
Consent and privacy
PDL would like to emphasise the critical importance of obtaining patient consent and safeguarding patient privacy when offering this service. The consultation must occur in a room suitable to maintain confidentiality and cannot be seen or overheard by a person not involved in the consultation. Informed consent must be obtained from the patient regarding the consultation, supply of the OCP, any treatment proposed, sharing of information with their medical practitioner and cost of the medicine.
Consultation fees
Pharmacists may charge a consultation fee for the service, in addition to the cost of the OCP supplied. Any charges for this service should be discussed before the consultation to ensure financial consent is obtained. The cost of supplying an OCP under the service will be a non-PBS item.
Ongoing training requirements
Pharmacists are required to complete any ongoing training and professional development to maintain competency to deliver the service.
For immediate advice and incident support, call PDL on 1300 854 838 to speak with one of our Professional Officers. We are here to support our pharmacist members 24/7, Australia-wide.
Insurance issued by Guild Insurance Limited ABN 55 004 538 863, AFS Licence No. 233791 and subject to terms, conditions and exclusions. Guild Insurance supports PDL through the payment of referral fees. This information is of a general nature only. Please refer to the policy wording and policy schedule for details. For more information, call PDL on 1300 854 838.
