The number of Australian pharmacies stocking the MS-2 Step medication increased by almost 50% following the relaxation of prescribing restrictions in 2023. Researchers indicate that this deregulation promotes safer and faster healthcare.

Study Overview

A study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open examined the impact of changes made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2023. These changes allowed any general practitioner (GP) to prescribe the medication, eliminating the previous requirement for additional training and registration. Additionally, the need for pharmacists to be registered to dispense the drug was removed, and administrative hurdles were eased. Appropriately trained nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives also became eligible to prescribe the medication.

Key Findings

Researchers from La Trobe University compared pharmacy ordering data from the two years before and after the changes. They found that by mid-2025, the number of pharmacies stocking the medication rose from 2,228 to 4,107. Key statistics include:

  • Postcodes with a pharmacy stocking the medication increased from 915 to 1,292.
  • Regional coverage expanded from 23% to 35% of postcodes.
  • The proportion of pharmacies stocking the medication in remote areas nearly doubled, from 12.5% to 22%.

Expert Insights

Prof. Kristina Edvardsson, the lead author of the study, stated, "Australian women who need access to this medication can access it closer to home. It removes the unnecessary travel and stress around getting the medication once it’s prescribed. That’s super important, particularly for women who might be more disadvantaged, women living in rural, remote areas, and women who might not have the means to travel."