Pharmacists are among the most trusted professionals, and for many people, a pharmacy will be the first place they turn to for medical support and advice. Compared to other medical settings, pharmacies are more accessible, convenient, and low cost. In sexual and reproductive health, where privacy, immediacy and trust are especially important, the pharmacy’s accessibility becomes even more significant. However, sexual and reproductive consultations can be challenging in this context due to limitations in space and time.
This is why ASHM, in conjunction with ACON, AusPATH, Children by Choice, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, developed the Decision Making in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Pharmacy Consultations. This practical tool is designed to guide pharmacists through sexual and reproductive health conversations specifically in the pharmacy setting.
Marwa El Jamaly from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia was a member of the Steering Committee and was closely involved in shaping and drafting the resource, resulting in a tool that feels useable and supportive for real-world pharmacy consultations, rather than just theoretical scenarios. Below, she answers ASHM’s questions on the development and implementation of the decision-making resource.
Can you describe this resource and explain what gap this resource sets out to address?
This resource is a practical, evidence-based decision-support tool designed to guide pharmacists through sexual and reproductive health consultations. As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to expand, there is a growing need for pharmacy-specific tools that integrate clinical pathways with practical consultation support. This resource responds to that need by strengthening confidence, clinical reasoning and holistic, patient-centred care.
In developing the tool, particular attention was given to encouraging a broader clinical lens. Hormonal therapies are not used solely for contraception and may be prescribed across different life stages and for a range of gynaecological or endocrine conditions. By acknowledging this wider clinical context, the tool supports pharmacists to approach consultations with a broader clinical perspective and deliver care that is informed, individualised and holistic.
Beyond contraception, the inclusion of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) which remain significant public health priorities in Australia recognises the important role community pharmacists can play in supporting screening, testing and prevention.
What challenges do pharmacists commonly face when supporting patients with sexual and reproductive health concerns?
As pharmacists take on expanded responsibilities in areas such as contraceptive prescribing, the breadth of sexual and reproductive health presentations encountered in practice continues to grow. Real-world consultations can involve complex, sensitive and multifaceted considerations.
Sexual and reproductive health discussions often require navigating personal topics, varying indications for hormonal therapy and individual lifestyle factors. In a busy community pharmacy environment, time pressures and competing demands can make it challenging to explore these broader considerations within a routine consultation.
Access to clear clinical considerations and practical consultation support can help pharmacists approach these presentations with greater clarity and consistency in everyday practice.
How does this resource help pharmacists feel more confident discussing topics like emergency contraception and early medical abortion? What impact do you hope it will have on pharmacist confidence and capability?
This resource supports confidence by bringing together key clinical considerations, discussion prompts and referral information in a clear and accessible format that pharmacists can draw on during real-world consultations. By consolidating relevant information in one place, it helps provide greater clarity around consultation approach and next steps.
Importantly, the tool is designed to complement existing workflows. By offering a clear framework, it enables pharmacists to approach sensitive topics such as emergency contraception and early medical abortion in a considered way, even in time-constrained environments.
My hope is that it enhances confidence and clinical capability, supporting pharmacists to engage more comfortably and consistently in sexual and reproductive healthcare conversations.
Can you share an example of how this resource might improve a patient experience?
For example, a patient may present requesting a prescription for hormonal contraception. Rather than viewing the consultation solely through a contraceptive lens, the way the contraception summary table is structured encourages consideration of broader factors — including life stage, potential non-contraceptive indications and individual preferences.
This supports a more comprehensive discussion about available options and facilitates shared decision-making, ensuring the chosen method aligns not only with contraceptive needs but also with the patient’s clinical context and lifestyle.
Similarly, by including considerations around early medical abortion and appropriate referral pathways, the tool helps pharmacists feel clearer about their role in providing information and support. In sensitive situations, that clarity can translate into more confident, respectful and informed conversations for patients.
Overall, the resource encourages more comprehensive and personalised consultations that reflect the patient’s individual circumstances and health needs, while supporting respectful and inclusive communication.
What would you like pharmacists to take away after using this tool?
I would like pharmacists to take away a sense of clarity and reassurance — that sexual and reproductive health conversations are within their professional scope and capability. With the right structure and clinical lens, these consultations can be approached confidently and thoughtfully.
More broadly, I hope the tool reinforces the important role pharmacists play in improving access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Even small shifts in how we frame questions, explore options and provide counselling can make a meaningful difference to patient experience and outcomes.
What message would you give to pharmacists who are hesitant to engage in sexual and reproductive health conversations?
Pharmacists are highly trusted healthcare professionals and are often the first point of contact for patients seeking advice on sensitive concerns. It is completely understandable to feel hesitant when discussing sexual and reproductive health, particularly if formal training in this area has been limited.
You do not need to have every answer. What matters most is creating a respectful, non-judgemental space and being willing to engage in the conversation. With the right structure and support, these discussions can feel more manageable and become a natural and rewarding part of everyday pharmacy practice.
By leaning into these opportunities, pharmacists can play a meaningful role in improving access to care and supporting patients at important moments in their health journey.
The Decision Making in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Pharmacy Consultations resource is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Pathology program.
Pharmacists and those working in pharmacy settings looking for further assistance in developing confidence and skills in navigating sexual and reproductive health in practice, can register for ASHM’s Fundamentals of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Pharmacy Practice course here.
