Pharmacies not the right environment for sexual health counselling
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that the AMA remains opposed to Emergency Contraceptives being freely available over the counter.
Dr Glasson said pharmacies are not appropriate environments for sexual health counselling.
"The decision by the National Drugs and Poisons Committee has the potential to seriously impact on the health and wellbeing of Australian women," Dr Glasson said.
"Doctors should remain the sole prescribers of Emergency Contraceptives.
"Access to these drugs should ideally take place in the context of a medical consultation that addresses the range of health issues relating to unprotected sexual intercourse.
"The AMA does acknowledge, however, that accessing doctors in a timely matter is a problem particularly in rural and remote areas.
"In these areas, the public interest would be better served by seeking to improve access to doctors or sexual health services rather than access to drugs," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306