AMA submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration – Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – June 2021 – oral contraceptives

The AMA vehemently opposes both applications to downschedule oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) from Schedule 4 (prescription only) to Schedule 3 (pharmacist only). The AMA believes this change would have a detrimental impact on quality and safe care provided to patients being prescribed or seeking a prescription for an OCP, and will negatively impact public health. Downscheduling OCPs will allow pharmacists to operate autonomously without acknowledging and examining the effect it will have on fragmentation of care, patient outcomes and quality of prescribing.