With pharmacists now being paid $20 a consult to diagnose, prescribe and dispense S4 medications without patients seeing a doctor first, obstetricians are calling for an independent review of adverse events and patient outcomes.

The Chemist Care Now program being rolled out by the Victorian Government allows pharmacists with additional training to prescribe and dispense for conditions ranging from shingles, impetigo and mild acne to moderate atopic dermatitis and UTIs.

But since July, pharmacists have also been initiating or restarting the oral contraceptive pill for women aged 18-50, as well as resupplying some hormonal contraception — including selected pills, the vaginal ring and depot injections.

All consults are free, with the State Government paying the pharmacy $20 for each one and the patient covering the costs of any private scripts.