<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pharmacists in NSW will be able to prescribe the contraceptive pill directly to women without a GP appointment under a change announced by the state government today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Premier Chris Minns said the reform was about "giving women more control, more convenience and more choice".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The move follows a trial allowing women to get a resupply for the contraceptive pill at participating pharmacies without a doctor's appointment.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To date, 773 pharmacies are registered with Healthdirect to provide this resupply service in NSW.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dog-attack-western-australia-woman-mauled-and-her-pet-killed-in-vicious-dog-attack-in-perth-driveway/9302f6dc-b86a-4f30-943d-6bb65b3eccde" rel="" target="" title="Woman mauled and her pet killed in dog attack in Perth driveway"><strong><span>Woman mauled and her pet killed in dog attack in Perth driveway</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's about removing barriers to care," Minns said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And at a time when cost of living is front of mind, this is a simple change that will save time, save money and make life a bit easier."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-pharmacists-will-now-be-able-to-prescribe-the-contraceptive-pill/02012c7a-0dc7-4da9-a133-342d060be142" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the service, available for women aged over 18, will not be free in the long term.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The NSW government has allocated $4.5 million to pay for the first 5000 consultations with a trained pharmacist, after which women can expect to pay between $20 and $60 for the consultation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pharmacists trained with a graduate certificate from James Cook University will be able to prescribe contraception for women at lower risk of complications, and after participating in a NSW induction to reproductive health course.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government anticipates that up to 60 pharmacists will be eligible to start, with more pharmacists coming online as they complete the graduate certificate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Access to contraception should not be a burden for women, and the NSW Government is providing new solutions to make life easier, more affordable and safer for women," Health Minister Ryan Park said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: "This investment is about addressing gaps to women's access to contraception options in the health system, particularly for women where cost, service availability and location limit access to care."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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