TGA keeps pill prescription-only

AMA Queensland welcomes the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) decision this week to keep oral contraceptives prescription only.

The TGA had been considering two separate applications to move some ingredients of the pill into a category that would have allowed it to be legally sold over the counter at pharmacies under certain conditions.

The AMA vehemently opposed both applications, warning of the detrimental impact on patients.

AMA Queensland Council of General Practice Chair Dr Maria Boulton ran through a list of potential risks for patients in an interview with ABC Radio.

“You can get a clot in your leg, for example, or in your chest,” Dr Boulton said.

“There’s other things like changes in your skin, for example. Some people get nausea, some people get headaches. Some people who get migraines with aura perhaps need to consider something different and speak to their doctor.”

The AMA’s submission to the TGA argued that there is less opportunity in a pharmacy to undertake a full patient history and examination looking for a range of illnesses that may not yet be apparent.

It also argued that busy retail settings like pharmacies are not the best place for a private conversation with a customer about their personal life.

You can read the AMA submission here and listen to the ABC story here.