Women in New Zealand will soon be able to purchase oral contraceptives over the counter.
The Ministry of Health announced yesterday Medsafe had accepted a recommendation by the medicine classifications committee.
Medsafe group manager Chris James said pharmacists would be able to sell up to six months’ supply of oral contraceptives to women, with restrictions.
"To be eligible, a woman must have been prescribed a similar formulation within the last three years and not have developed risk factors which would preclude continued use without adequate medical supervision.
"Very young women, under 16, are not eligible, nor are first-time users of oral contraceptives. And women will be encouraged to allow pharmacists to notify their GP that they are getting the oral contraceptive across the pharmacy counter," Mr James said.
Committee chairman Dr Stewart Jessamine said the proposal had been extensively reviewed, and the committee was satisfied it would be safe.
"The Pharmacy Council and Pharmaceutical Society will be responsible for ensuring pharmacists are appropriately trained to provide oral contraceptives without a prescription to eligible women."
The reclassification was expected to take effect by the end of this month.
About 200,000 New Zealand women use oral contraceptives.
Green Cross Health, which represents the Life and Unichem pharmacies, and Natalie Gauld Ltd have been instrumental in driving submissions to the medicines classification committee to loosen the restriction.
"A positive recommendation ... to the Minister of Health signals an end to a three-year process to have selected oral contraceptives made available to women by their pharmacist.
"Women in the Netherlands and some US states are already enjoying the benefits that come with it and we applaud the Ministry of Health for now making this possible within New Zealand."
Green Cross Health said in a statement.
