Ms Alana Ryan:

The roll-out of free contraception is a very welcome move and it needs to be extended across the whole of the reproductive age range. We also need to focus attention on thinking about how the roll-out to those aged 17 to 25 can be delivered in such a way that everyone can benefit from it. Part of this is thinking about the network provider. GPs and women's health clinics should be used. We should also think about the potential role of pharmacies. In other jurisdictions oral contraceptives are available without prescription via pharmacies. They are trusted local community-based health care facilities. It would be incumbent on us to consider whether there is a role for pharmacists to play if we are to reach all who could benefit from this, especially when they safely deliver the emergency contraceptive as it is. It would be a good care pathway for them to be able to provide regular contraception consultation as they provide emergency contraception as it stands.