Distribution - on or off prescription (of oral contraceptives)?

Abstract

Restrictions on sale of oral contraceptives (OCs) in Australia are based on their classification as Schedule 4 poisons; as such they are "restricted substances" and obtainable only on a prescription. In general only a medical practitioner can prescribe OCs and only a chemist or a licensed person can dispense them. Doctors at Family Planning Clinics and Hospital Outpatient Departments may also supply OCs. There are arguments for and against a relaxation of restrictions controlling the distribution of OCs, many of these views were stated in submissions to the Royal Commission on Human Relationships. At present in Australia, a nurse must work under the supervision of a medical practitioner when providing family planning services. A doctor may delegate certain functions to nursing staff but remains ultimately responsible. The Royal Commission "suggests that steps should be taken to enable nurse practitioners to take a wider role in prescribing oral contraceptives." They also think "that the pill should be available only through a person trained to give information and advice on its proper use. (They) would not necessarily restrict the categories of such persons; they might include nurses, or other specially trained personnel, at family planning clinics, specially trained social workers, pharmacists, and possibly others. It would be important to establish proper standards for training these personnel and for their competence to be recognized by the Commonwealth and States under appropriate legislation. This would require cooperation. The Family Planning Associations or other recognized training bodies could be authorized to issue certificates of competence to persons who have received the appropriate training; this would in turn authorize those persons to prescribe OCs. When more is known about the OC it is hoped that it will be possible to make it available without restriction.