On this Sunday evening I had just got home when I remembered that I needed to go to the chemist. I was just going to miss my local store closing at 9pm but knew about the Midnight Pharmacy in the city so I jumped on my scooter. Little did I know, I would be leaving the chemist over $100 poorer!

Tonight I was charged $40 to access Emergency Contraception (also commonly known as 'The Morning After Pill'), in this case brand name 'NorLevo' (levonorgestrel) and a RIDICULOUS $68.55 for 3 months of my regular contraceptive pill Microgynon 20 ED, which I usually pay around $37 for the same script to be filled anywhere else. 

Why you ask? Because neither of these contraceptive medications are on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, meaning pharmacies can effectively charge what they please. Concessions such as a low income Health Care Card do not apply. 

If you are a in the delicate, and usually stressful situation of needing Emergency Contraception, even more pressure, that of the financial sense, is added to your already awkward and possibly upsetting task/transaction. $40. $40 for any one is no small sum. $40 for a low income earner or pensioner is far more. 

You pretty much have no choice. Pay up, or increase your risk of unwanted pregnancy. 

On top of all of this you are asked to fill out a form with your full name and address in order to access this over-the-counter medication. 

This experience is not encouraging. This does not encourage open discussion and easy, equal and affordable access to a necessary band of medications for women of all ages, races and backgrounds. So let's take a step in the right direction and add ALL contraceptive medications whether oral, injectable or implant to the PBS! 

For some info on contraception:

http://www.shinesa.org.au/go/information-and-resources/choose-a-topic/contraception

And the PBS:

http://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home