Women will have easier access to the pill in NSW and those with common skin conditions could be next as the state considers expanding pharmacy prescription trials.
Under the change, women will be able to obtain a prescription for a 12-month resupply of the oral contraceptive from their pharmacist without having to see a doctor, except if it is the first time they have taken the medication.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said the government was looking at extending the trial's scope after its success in treating urinary tract infections, particularly for women in regional areas.
Dr Chant said the focus of future trials was still being decided, but it would probably include common skin conditions such as shingles.
"We are exploring in a safe, methodical manner, the extension of the scope of access to the supply of medications," she said.
More than 900 pharmacies across the state will take part in a 12-month trial for the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill, starting on Wednesday.
Queensland has also announced an expanded pilot program to allow pharmacists to prescribe the pill and asthma medications, among other common prescriptions.
NSW Pharmacy Guild vice president Catherine Bronger said the reform would give women more options, particularly in rural and remote areas.
"Whether they want to pick up their prescription for oral contraception at their pharmacy where it's convenient for them, or they want to go back to the GP, it's about more choice for those women," she said.
The government will pay participating pharmacists $20 for each consultation to help cover administrative costs.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the move was part of a plan to improve access to medicines and ease pressure on GPs and primary-care services.
An earlier, pilot phase of the trial to treat basic health complaints through local pharmacies launched in May.
In July, it was expanded to include treatment for women suffering urinary tract infections, or UTIs.
Nearly 3000 women had been able to get easier access to assessment and treatment under the UTI prescription scheme in its first few months.
Doctors' groups have criticised pharmacy prescription trials in various states, saying they could endanger patients if the medicines were recommended without GP supervision.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSW chair Charlotte Hespe said giving people flexibility was important but seeing a GP should underpin all standard health care.
She noted that women who saw their pharmacist for a resupply of the contraceptive pill would not be eligible for a PBS-funded script and would need to pay for a privately funded prescription.
"This is not the ongoing way women should be accessing their contraception, it's just a mechanism for women to more readily access a prescription if needed," she said.
Dr Chant said pharmacists underwent significant training and would be required to work collaboratively with GPs by reporting any consultations and prescriptions provided.
She added that pharmacists could potentially help treat common skin conditions if they were able to prescribe higher levels of steroids.
