GREENSBORO, N.C. — Women in North Carolina can now go to the pharmacy and get birth control without a prescription.
The new law allows qualified pharmacists to provide certain contraceptives after a patient completes an assessment.
The patient must be 18-years-old or older.
Minors can go to a doctor and obtain contraceptives without parental consent, according to Dr. April Miller.
Dr. April Miller is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. In the questionnaire, she said patients must fill out things such as:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Height/weight
- Blood pressure
- Last menstrual period
- Medical history
Dr. Miller said there are many benefits to this law.
"There are many more pharmacies in the state than physician's offices. I think this will greatly increase access and hopefully help women plan pregnancies," Dr. Miller said.
She also said this could help women transition between insurance or college students.
However, the new law only includes pills and patches available to get without a prescription at a pharmacy. Dr. Miller said birth control like IUDs and implants are the most effective types with the lowest pregnancy rates.
"I still think its best for a patient to seek care from a physician or advanced practice practitioners such as a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife. However, again, if access is an issue, being able to go to your local pharmacy is a great option," Dr. Miller said.
It's important to note that birth control has other benefits, including helping with period regulation and decreasing acne and cyst formation, according to Dr. Miller.
Under this law, pharmacists can also prescribe prenatal vitamins, HIV medications, and nicotine replacement therapy.
Our sister station, WCNC, spoke with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. The executive director told them they're still waiting for final protocols to be put in place by the state department of health and human services. He said he expects it to happen very soon.