Resupply of the oral contraceptive pill

The oral contraceptive pill, often called 'the pill', prevents pregnancy. You take this as a tablet.

Approved community pharmacists can now provide a resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (up to a maximum of 12 months).  This new initiative gives Tasmanian women the choice of seeing a pharmacist to extend their prescription for the oral contraceptive pill, saving the need to visit a GP to obtain a repeat prescription.

A participating pharmacist can resupply some Combined Oral Contraceptive pills (COC) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP or the mini-pill). Many brands of the pill are available. and all have different types and doses of hormones. Your pharmacist will not be able to change the type of pill you are taking. If there is more than one brand available for the type of pill you are taking, discuss which brand you prefer with your pharmacist.

Low-risk pills contain only small amounts of the hormone estrogen, or only contain progestogen. The pill is safe for most women, however estrogen has been linked to a very small risk of blood clots and strokes.

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

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 or are planning to become pregnant in the next 18 months

The pill is safe for most women, however there is a very small risk of:

• blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
• heart attack and stroke in women (this is increased if you smoke, have diabetes or high blood pressure).

It is important that you speak to your doctor about the risks of taking the pill based on your age, medical history, family medical history and lifestyle.

Unplanned pregnancy can still occur with the pill.

The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Other longer acting forms of contraception can be very reliable and, in some users, more likely to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Talk to the pharmacist, your GP or nurse practitioner about these options.

Pharmacists will determine the length of resupply based on the consultation with you. Under this initiative, the pharmacist can provide up to 12 months supply (as per the recommended use) if you meet the eligibility criteria.

No, but you should bring in a box (or the original script) to show what you have been taking if you can.

If your script has expired, you may not be eligible. A condition of resupply is that you have not taken a break from the pill in the time since you saw your prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner.

For some people the potential health risks of taking the pill may outweigh the benefits.

For safety, if you are over 50 years of age it is best to speak to your doctor regularly to check for cardiovascular and other health risks.

Your doctor will provide you with a new prescription if the pill is right for you.

Patients aged 40 to 50 years are at an increased risk of complications from the combined oral contraceptive pill (COC).  If you are in this age range, your pharmacist can provide you with an extended supply of the COC (provided you do not have any other risk factors).  Due to the increased risk for you, your resupply of the pill will be limited to one original pack and one repeat only. 

You should regularly engage with your GP to determine your most appropriate ongoing contraceptive.

If you are younger than 16 years of age, it is important that you check in with your doctor regularly.

Your doctor will guide you on the best contraceptive method for you. If the doctor recommends the pill, they will provide you with a prescription that you can take to the pharmacy.

The Tasmanian Department of Health recommends that you talk to your doctor about which pill is right for you.  Read these Family Planning Tasmania web pages for more information about the:

• Combined Oral Contraceptive pill
• Progestogen Only Pill (the mini-pill)
  
  For information on choosing contraception, visit the following Family Planning Tasmania web page:
• Choosing Contraception

The pharmacist will ask you:

• your name and date of birth
• about your pill and your reason for taking the pill
• when you last spoke to your doctor about the pill
• if you have experienced any side-effects from the pill
• if you have any medical conditions
• if you take any other medicines (prescription or non-prescription)
• about your lifestyle (for example, they will ask if you smoke)

The pharmacist will also take your blood pressure and record your height and weight.

The pharmacist is checking that you are eligible to get your next supply of the pill at the pharmacy and that it is safe for you.

Yes, your pharmacist will notify your doctor directly or they will give you a letter to take to your doctor.

Find a participating pharmacy near you.

Pharmacist participation is voluntary. Therefore, not all pharmacists will be providing advice or treatment.  However, the majority of Tasmanian pharmacists are participating.

Outside this initiative, pharmacists may be able to​ help you access a one-off shorter resupply of the oral contraceptive pill in certain circumstances

In Tasmania, you will need to pay a consultation fee to speak to a pharmacist about receiving treatment.

The cost of medications will be the same as a private prescription, with the price determined by the pharmacy and paid for by the patient.

Check with your pharmacist about the cost of medicines before you agree to receive the service.

Pharmacists have had additional training to extend the supply of the pill.

Participating pharmacists will be provided with guidance and protocols as to who is eligible for a resupply of the pill and who must be referred to their doctor (GP) or an Emergency Department.

These guidelines/protocols are developed by the Tasmanian Department of Health in consultation with key stakeholders and are based on international best practice.

Your pharmacist will provide you with a participant information sheet as part of your consultation.  You can raise concerns directly with the pharmacy, if you are unhappy with their response or feel it is inappropriate to contact the pharmacy directly, you can report to AHPRA or the Tasmanian Health Complaints Commissioner.