The pill is the most common way Australian women avoid getting pregnant. Almost 30% of Australian women who use contraception take the pill.

Now, several state and territory governments are giving women greater access to the pill. Just this week, New South Wales announced it would allow eligible pharmacists to prescribe it to women aged 18 and above, without them needing to see a GP first.

But around the country, the rules governing how women can access the pill through pharmacies vary. And certain types of the pill still aren’t available under pharmacy prescribing schemes anywhere in Australia.

How does the pill work?

The combined oral contraceptive pill is a daily medication that women can take to avoid unwanted pregnancies, or plan when they want to conceive.

The pill contains two hormones, typically oestrogen and progestogen or derivatives of these hormones, which stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. These hormones also makes a woman’s cervical mucus thicker, which helps prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

The pill is the most common kind of contraceptive. However, other types are also available. These include progestogen-only pills, otherwise known as the “mini pill”, and intrauterine devices that are implanted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, the pill can also help women manage other medical conditions. These include menstrual disorders, such as heavy bleeding or........

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