Dozens of pharmacies across Queensland can now initiate 12-month scripts of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, oral contraceptives and vaginal rings to patients aged 16 and up.

Launching on 8 August, the new pilot is open to pharmacists who have completed the full Queensland pharmacy pilot training through James Cook University or just a five- or six-hour hormonal contraceptives course.

Pharmacists will take patient history, assess STI risk, monitor blood pressure and discuss long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) before prescribing, according to the pilot’s clinical guidelines.

The guidelines advise pharmacists to perform a clinical review 3-4 months after initiating contraception to screen for adverse effects, followed by yearly reviews involving blood pressure checks.