TODAY’s TGA decision has removed the restrictions that prevented health professionals, including doctors and pharmacists, from prescribing and dispensing medical abortion pill MS-2 Step (mifepristone and misoprostol). From 01 Aug, pharmacists will no longer need to be registered or undertake specific training to dispense MS-2 Step to patients across Australia. Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney explained that, “we know that women experience structural barriers trying to access the healthcare that they need, particularly in regional and rural areas”. “That’s why it’s so important that all health practitioners can perform the care that they are already trained to provide.” PSA National President Dr Fei Sim shared that “by removing unnecessary red tape, pharmacists can help more Australian women access reproductive care, in line with international experience”. “Pharmacists follow a robust process to ensure all medicines are dispensed safely and effectively. “This approach recognises that pharmacists are medicine experts and that dispensing MS-2 Step and counselling patients on its use is already within the scope of practice of pharmacists.” Previously, medical practitioners had additional regulatory steps to follow which meant only one in 10 doctors could prescribe MS-2 Step and three in 10 pharmacists were able to dispense it.