TGA ignored as Victorian Government ‘shortcut’ puts women at risk: RACGP

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has expressed disappointment that the Victorian Government has overridden repeated warnings from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) by allowing pharmacists to prescribe the contraceptive pill, undermining established medicines safety safeguards.

The Victorian Government has, contrary to repeated TGA assessments, weakened its medicines safety regulations by enabling pharmacists, rather than medically trained prescribers, to initiate prescriptions for the oral contraceptive pill.

RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the announcement prioritises political expediency and industry lobbying over evidence‑based public health.

“We are deeply disappointed that the Victorian Government appears to be listening to lobbyists for pharmacy owners rather than the medicines experts, the TGA, whose guidance exists to protect patient safety,” she said.

“At a time when the Government faces a challenging political environment in an election year, it has chosen a shortcut on women’s healthcare instead of investing in the evidence‑based solutions that actually improve access.

“This stands in stark contrast to the Federal Government’s recent investment in women’s healthcare, which is the model we should be following. Watering down safety standards is not a safe or effective way to improve access to care.”

Dr Muñoz said GPs will continue supporting patients and working constructively with pharmacists despite the pressures placed on the sector.

“GPs will always be here for our patients as access continues to improve in the primary care system,” she said.

“We also support our pharmacy colleagues, who are increasingly being asked by their employers to take on more and more responsibility as a substitute for improved pay, conditions, and proper workforce planning for retail pharmacy staff.”

~ENDS

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the peak representative organisation for general practice, the backbone of Australia’s health system. We set the standards for general practice, facilitate lifelong learning for GPs, connect the general practice community, and advocate for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.

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