New York state opens up contraception without a prescription

Mar. 19—ALBANY — Anyone who wants access to hormonal contraception, like the birth control pill or patch, can now get a year's prescription without a doctor's approval.

On Tuesday, at a healthcare office and pharmacy in Albany, Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul and New York state Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James V. McDonald, signed a standing order into effect that essentially provides a standing prescription for birth control for anyone at a New York pharmacy.

"Whether you're a visitor or a resident, it's available to you," McDonald said. "Basically what we've done today, by me signing this order, is if you come to New York and you want to have contraception, I've issued a prescription for you. I've become your doctor, as the state's physician."

Under the order, patients can go to a pharmacist and request an oral hormonal contraception pill, also known as the birth control pill, a hormonal vaginal ring to be inserted at home, or a hormonal contraceptive patch. The order is not specific to gender, but pharmacists will screen for appropriateness of the medication, including if the patient is capable of pregnancy, before filling the order.

"Any woman can walk into a participating pharmacy and choose the best birth control method that best suits your needs," Hochul said. "This will dramatically, dramatically increase access to this for women, particularly at a time when women are feeling discouraged, not listened to, and powerless."

At Tuesday's event, both McDonald and Hochul said this move is a step forward for reproductive rights and body autonomy for women and all people, and will be especially helpful for people in regions with a shortage of doctors, or wide distances between offices, and will cut out some costs for getting the prescription by removing the need for a doctor's appointment and consultation before starting or refilling a prescription.

All prescriptions filled in this manner will be covered by a patient's insurance, and a clause in the Affordable Care Act requires that pharmacies not charge co-pays for contraceptive medication. According to Planned Parenthood, before insurance, a month of contraceptive pills can cost up to $50, vaginal rings that last a month can cost up to $200 while rings that can last up to a year can cost up to $2,200. Hormonal patches can cost up to $150 for a month supply.

McDonald said that over 85% of pharmacies operating in New York are planning to allow their pharmacists to fill these prescriptions with the standing order rather than a patient-specific order. He cautioned that the rollout would take time, as pharmacists receive training on the procedure to screen patients and approve the medication.

"The chain pharmacies have their positions on this, they are ready to do this, the vast majority of independent pharmacies are ready to do this," he said.