Some states with conscience clauses legally require pharmacists to refer patients elsewhere when they decline to dispense a medication for ethical and/or moral beliefs. In other words, pharmacists are encouraged to “step aside” but should not “step in the way” of dispensing or selling medications that conflict with their personal beliefs. ![]() ![]() The American Pharmacists Association also recognizes an individual pharmacist’s right to conscientiously refuse to dispense a medication however, the organization supports a system to ensure patient access to medications without compromising the pharmacist’s right of refusal. Currently, 13 states have laws or regulations known as “conscience clauses” that permit pharmacists to refuse to dispense a medication when it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs. Notably, many states give pharmacists autonomy when dispensing medications. They may also choose not to sell over-the-counter birth control when it becomes available. This precedent suggests that pharmacists who object to the use of reproductive medications may further choose not to participate in prescribing hormonal contraception even when permitted to do so by state law. Ultimately, a jury found that the pharmacist did not discriminate against the woman by denying to fill her prescription. As a result, the patient drove 50 miles to gain access to the medication. Additionally, pharmacist availability and time may be limited and more restricted than the hours a pharmacy is advertised as open.įinally, there are notable cases of pharmacists who have denied patients access to emergency contraception, also known as the “morning-after pill,” and prescriptions for medication abortion on the grounds of moral, ethical and religious beliefs.įor instance, in 2019, a pharmacist in Minnesota denied a patient emergency contraception, citing personal beliefs. Over-the-counter birth control can also reduce access barriers by preventing the need for a scheduled appointment with a primary care physician during work hours or the need to travel long distances to get such care.īut it is important to note that over-the-counter access to hormonal birth control does not replace the importance of regular office visits or discussion about reproductive health with physicians.Įven in states where pharmacists are currently allowed to prescribe birth control, patients may still face barriers.įor example, if state policies do not create payment pathways to reimburse pharmacists for their time to counsel and prescribe, pharmacists may choose not to participate. These barriers include the inability to pay for medical office visits required to obtain a prescription, lack of insurance to cover the cost of prescription birth control or lack of accessibility to pharmacist-prescribed contraception. However, the move toward nonprescription-based, over-the-counter birth control is important because it will greatly lessen some of the known barriers to birth control. that now allow pharmacists to prescribe some form of birth control, whether it be the pill, patch, ring or shot. That quickly expanded to 20 states plus Washington, D.C. We see the move toward over-the-counter birth control as an important step toward accessible and equitable reproductive health care for all Americans, and pharmacists will play an indispensable role in that effort.īut in 2016, California and Oregon became the first states to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control. We are a pharmacist and a public health expert. The first such over-the-counter pill – a non-estrogen, progestin-only contraceptive – could become available by mid-2023. The FDA’s approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill will further expand options for people seeking hormonal contraception to all 50 states. If the patient qualifies, the pharmacist can provide a prescription to the patient if not, the pharmacist refers the patient to a physician. The process begins with a pharmacist consultation to screen patients for eligibility, collect a medical history and measure blood pressure. states, pharmacists can already prescribe hormonal contraception that requires a prescription. ![]() Food and Drug Administration is set to review a drugmaker’s application for the first over-the-counter birth control pill in November 2022, with a decision expected in the first half of 2023.Īn approved over-the-counter hormonal birth control product would not require a prescription and would be considered self-care, defined as “the practice of individuals looking after their own health using the knowledge and information available to them.”Ĭurrently, in many U.S. The over-the-counter birth control pill will not require medical examinations or prescriptions prior to purchase.
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