If you just read the headlines, reforms across NSW to allow pharmacists to initiate, prescribe and dispense oral contraceptives have been about ending the pain and misery women face when they have to see their GP.

As Premier Chris Minns announced his grand plan back in April, he described the reform as long overdue. This was about making it easier to get care, “without extra cost or hassle”.

He then turned up at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s annual conference a few months later and, in a remarkable speech, described how much he loved the guild and promised its leaders there would be no backing down to the “vested interests”, an unsubtle reference to the doctors who were alarmed at what was happening.

As you will discover, behind the scenes, senior NSW Health officials shared the concerns, warning ministers of serious clinical safety risks and even questioning whether any evidence showed the need for the policy. It seems they were simply ignored.