Oral Contraceptive

If your doctor has previously prescribed one of the selected oral contraceptives that have been approved for pharmacist supply, you may be able to receive your next supply from a pharmacist without seeing your doctor.

Some brands of contraceptive pills are available over-the-counter from your pharmacist if the eligibility criteria are met. These include pills that contain desogestrel, ethinylestradiol, norethisterone and levonorgestrel.

Eligibility criteria to get contraceptive pills from a pharmacist

Women who have previously been prescribed a contraceptive pill within the last three years and who are (one of the following):

• from New Zealand who has run out of her contraception pill
• from overseas who has run out of her contraceptive pill
• collecting the emergency contraceptive pill and are a previous contraceptive pill user
• wanting to restart the contraceptive pill and have used it before
• wanting the contraceptive pill after having a baby and have used it before. (If you are breastfeeding you can be given a progesterone-only pill and will be referred back to your doctor).

Talk to your pharmacist

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to get over-the-counter oral contraceptives, discuss this with your pharmacist or enquire below.

Private consultation rooms available

A consultation fee may apply.