Women’s Health Revolution

Psst, are you seeing what I’m seeing? Has anyone noticed how the increased scope of pharmacy practice between 2022 and 2024 has directly enhanced women’s health care, from all GPs being able to dispense abortion medications to the latest continuous supply of oral contraceptive pills?

During the challenging 60-day dispensing announcement that affected all pharmacists in Australia, the pharmacy community demonstrated remarkable resilience. Pharmacy managers, proprietors, and Pharmaceutical Guild care members embarked on a mission to expand our scope of practice and supply of medications, preventing us from shutting our doors.

Thanks to the Pharmacy Guild's belief in our abilities, all pharmacists will be graduating as prescribing pharmacists by 2035. This massive shift in our roles promises to drive pharmacy sales and allow us to reach our full potential as well as keep up with the rest of world health trends. With the increasing demand for patient care, primarily in women's health, I look forward to personal growth and skills development.

Much has changed for women since the release of the first National Women’s Health Policy nearly 30 years ago. Societal shifts, lifestyles, and health awareness continue to significantly impact the health and well-being of women and girls in Australia. In the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030, the Health Minister, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, in association with brilliant female minds in various healthcare professionals, has created five focus priority areas.

1) Maternal, sexual and reproductive health

2) Healthy ageing

3)  Chronic conditions and preventive health

4)  Mental health

5)  Health impacts of violence against women and girls

As pharmacists, how are we contributing to the five priority areas outlined in the National Women's Health Strategy 2020-2030? What more can we do in our daily practice to make a real difference?

During an unplanned store visit, I had the privilege of meeting the Hon. Amber Jade Sanderson, the health minister of WA. We discussed the UTI programme she implemented in September 2023, which has had a phenomenal impact. Over 90% of women reported symptom relief after receiving treatment from pharmacists, a testament to our crucial role in healthcare. The WA health minister explained that this programme is part of a broader initiative to improve healthcare access for women in WA. This success story is just the beginning!

Historically, medical research often overlooked women. Most doctors were men, so women and men were treated equally. The lack of understanding of gender-specific health issues has led to advancements in research, including increased participation of women in clinical studies, which revealed women's distinct biological and physiological needs.

From then onwards, holistic care for women has made history, acknowledging the need to tackle long-overlooked issues like mental health, menopause, and sexual health. Technological advancement and increased advocacy have supported this broader focus. We now have menstrual and fertility tracking apps, home test kits and wearable devices. This demand is projected to continue growing, with the female healthcare market estimated to surpass $60 billion by 2027, Right after the Entrepreneur Ida Tin coined the term “FemTech” in 2016.

This brings me to my final point -The women in pharmacy movement!

There has always been a gradual light shed on female entrepreneurs in health care. We have yet to see the light turn into the brilliance of endless possibilities, where shadows are no longer cast, and the full spectrum of female potential is unveiled.

Three brilliant women in WA, the fabulous Pryia Narsing, Negar Almassi, and Julie Bishop, started the Women in Pharmacy group. They changed how women network, support, and inspire each other. They aimed to make this female-dominant industry an even more female superpower. The space they created inspired many females to come out and share their success stories and experiences and educate their female colleagues. The Women in pharmacy movement has been so successful that we have started seeing it across NSW.

As a passionate female pharmacist dedicated to advancing women's health, I’m eager to see all HRT treatments fully covered by PBS and for companies to finally introduce period leave for their female employees. What’s next on your wish list for women’s healthcare? 😉 Scan the QR code below, share your thoughts, and let’s make it happen together!