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Should NH allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control?

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Oregon recently put into effect a new law which allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control after completing a training course. Pharmacists may prescribe oral contraceptives or other hormonal contraceptives themselves, or may refer a patient to a physician in more complicated cases.

The law applies to women over the age of 18 and those under 18 who have evidence of a previous prescription from a physician. 

California will join Oregon shortly, and several other states are considering similar legislation, including Hawaii, Washington, and South Carolina. There is currently no such move in New Hampshire.

Those in favor of allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives argue that it will make birth control more readily available, particularly for uninsured or under-insured women who can’t afford a doctor’s visit or have difficulty finding an available appointment. This, in turn, could help reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions. They also note that contraceptives are generally safe, non-addictive, and do not pose risks of overdose.

Opponents counter that hormonal contraceptives can increase risk of stroke or blood clots in some women, and pharmacists lacking patient history or the facilities for an exam may not know which patients are at risk. Others fear that enabling access to contraceptives without a doctor’s visit will lead to more women neglecting important preventative care, such as cervical exams and cancer screenings.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.

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