Australia: Challenges in pharmacy provision of emergency contraception
February 2026 – A new qualitative study explored how community pharmacists in Australia make decisions about providing emergency contraception (EC) and how professional guidelines support this care.
Pharmacists described existing guidelines as inaccessible, ambiguous, and impractical for use in busy pharmacy settings. The findings highlight the need for further research to optimise guideline usability and support greater uptake of EC pills guidance in practice. Strengthening implementation could help improve consistency of care and patient outcomes.
Nona RA et al. (2026) Exploring Australian community pharmacists’ perspectives, practices and use of emergency hormonal contraception guidelines: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Australian Journal of Primary Health 32, PY25181. doi:10.1071/PY25181
In 2025, ECEC reviewed thirteen pharmacy dispensing guidelines from settings where both ulipristal acetate (UPA) and levonorgestrel (LNG) emergency contraception pills are available, including Australia. The review – which will be published soon- identified disparities in recommendations, suggesting that some guidelines are not fully up to date—particularly regarding body mass index (BMI) and repeated use—and that differing approaches are taken when evidence is inconclusive.