The pill may be bought without a doctor’s appointment

The pill could be soon be bought over the counter without the user ever setting foot in a doctor’s office.

The nation’s biggest pharmacy chain, Green Cross Health, has asked health officials to reconsider the requirement for a prescription for oral contraceptives.

But GPs are warning that the pill is not safe for all women, and that medical oversight is still needed.

At present, only the emergency morning-after pill can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription from the patient’s doctor. In May, a Medsafe committee will consider a proposal from Green Cross and consultancy Pharma Projects to change that.

The submission argues that there is an ‘‘unmet demand’’ for the pill, with pharmacies already seeing a rising demand for the morning-after pill.

This could lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and to other health problems, it says. ‘‘Women seeking termination of pregnancy often cite difficulty procuring contraception.’’

Surveys overseas have also shown women prefer the convenience of popping into a pharmacy at any time, rather than waiting for a doctor’s appointment, which can be expensive. The pill was available without prescription in some part of the United States and Australia, and the model had been supported by several American medical colleges, the submission said.

Any proposal would include training pharmacists to ask the right questions with a ‘‘face-to-face consultation’’ before selling the pill over the counter, includ- ing checking for any health conditions that could make the pill unsafe.

But some doctors were not convinced, with some questioning whether the move was motivated by revenue. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is opposing the proposal.

Wellington GP Gabrielle Ruben said appointments to prescribe the pill were also about checking up on a patient’s overall health, particularly among teenage girls, and educating them. While the pill was safe for most women, for a small group it could be dangerous, lead- ing to liver problems, blood clots and even strokes.

And while Green Cross Health trumpets the convenience of picking up pills from the pharmacy, they would probably be more expensive. Sexual health visits to the GP are heavily subsidised by the Government, with appointments being free to patients under 22. A six-month prescription for the pill can cost less than $5.

Last year Green Cross sought approval for a similar proposal but was turned down.