Sales of the pill limited

Pharmacists can now sell oral contraceptive pills over the counter, but many are not yet ready to do so, with some holding off on the necessary staff training until after the busy Christmas period.

Since the start of November, pharmacists across New Zealand have been able to sell contraceptive pills with only one doctor’s prescription required every three years for some women, in a bid to make the pills more accessible to women.

The Hokowhitu Pharmacy in Palmerston North is one of a few chemists in the area that took up the opportunity almost immediately, but many are holding off as training takes time they don’t have over summer.

Hokowhitu Pharmacy owner Len Patel said any service that made medicine more accessible should be taken up by pharmacists, especially when the holiday season could interfere with doctor’s visits.

Patel completed the training, which takes about 10 hours, at the start of November. He’s had one woman buy the pill over the counter so far, but he hopes word will catch on as more pharmacists complete the training and offer the service.

‘‘It took one weekend and we just blitzed it.

‘‘Pharmacies around the country should be looking at offering new services just to strengthen the profession.’’

Patel charges about $35 to $40 for a sixmonth packet.

The New Zealand Medical Association is sceptical that the change in rules will make it easier for women to obtain the pill because the overall cost won’t necessarily be cheaper, despite women not needing to pay doctor’s charges as often.

The association’s chairwoman Kate Baddock said the costs meant it may not be easier for many women to access the over-the-counter pills.

For general practice, it was also a lost opportunity to talk to women about sexual health issues, Baddock said.

‘‘That’s been a major source of concern in terms of continous care and opportunity to discuss other contraceptive health.’’

Pharmacists selling the pill over the counter were required to talk to women before finalising any sale, but it was a very basic consultation, Baddock said. ‘‘We are not out to push up the prices. We want it to be an accessible and convenient service.’’

Awapuni Unichem pharmacist Fiona Bradley said she supported providing a more accessible service.

Pharmacies often had longer operating hours, so women had more opportunity to buy it, Bradley said.

The price of the pill would vary between pharmacies and it was no more expensive than visiting the doctor, she said.

‘‘We are not out to push up the prices. We want it to be an accessible and convenient service.’’

The Awapuni Unichem isn’t offering the service yet, but Bradley is planning to train after the busy Christmas period.

City Health pharmacist Gladys Agatep said it was the busiest time of the year for the Victoria St pharmacy.

‘‘We are not able to do that at the moment.’’

Agatep hopes to have the service available in early 2018.

Green Cross Health – the organisation behind Life and Unichem pharmacies – lobbied for the change since 2014.

Green Cross Health spokeswoman Debbie Yardley said about 900 Cross Health-employed pharmacists were undergoing or had completed the training.

Over-the-counter sales are restricted to women 16 and over and their GPS are informed of sales unless women opt out of that process.

About 10 brands and strengths of combined oral contraceptives and progesterone-only pills are available.

‘‘We are not out to push up the prices. We want it to be an accessible and convenient service.’’

Awapuni Unichem pharmacist Fiona Bradley