Two states pass legislation switching birth control from Rx-only

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon joined California last week as one of two states that allows pharmacists to dispense birth control pharmaceuticals without a prescription. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed laws that will allow women to get a yearlong supply of oral contraceptives directly from pharmacists without a trip to the doctor, according to a recent Reuters report.  

The law is expected to go into effect in the top-half of 2016. 

 

California is finalizing regulations of a birth control access bill passed in 2013. In that state, pharmacists can only dispense them after providing a health screening to women and taking their blood pressure. Oregon will also require a health screening, but the state's specific rules haven't been developed.

 

That could prove problematic - under the current paradigm there is no pathway for pharmacists to bill insurers for their time counseling patients on birth control, and many are concerned insurers won't pay. Passing a provider status bill would alleviate many of those concerns. 

 

According to a CNN report published Tuesday, the laws differ somewhat. For example, Oregon is restricting access to birth control to adults while California has no age restriction in place. Also, Oregon's regulations will likely require pharmacists to undergo more training than the one hour required by California.