2024-03-20 02:13:01
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Every pharmacist in the State of New York now has the ability to prescribe birth control without a prescription, thanks to a standing order signed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday.
“This is a big moment for women of New York,” said Hochul during a press conference.
Pharmacists can dispense up to twelve months of hormonal contraception without a prescription in one of three forms: pill, patch, or ring.
Pharmacists must consult with each patient, using CDC guidelines and a questionnaire to determine if birth control is medically appropriate. The pharmacist must notify the patient’s primary care doctor within 72 hours, but patients can opt out of notification. Pharmacists can refuse to dispense birth control if they believe it would be detrimental to the patient’s health.
“I think it’s going to be amazing for young people,” said Ramya Arumilli, a student at Barnard College and an advocate with the Reproductive Justice Collective.
Advocates like Arumilli argue that going straight to a pharmacy alleviates the burden on doctors’ offices and clinics and provides a less intimidating, more accessible way for patients to seek contraception.
“I think there’s a lot of hesitation to access campus clinic care,” said Arumilli. “It can be confusing, and for a lot of students, it’s a lot faster to just go to the pharmacy on your way to class, or you don’t have to make an appointment.”
“We’re busy people,” said Jenna Bimbi of the New York Birth Control Access Project. “Not having to make an appointment in order to go get your prescription…it provides an incredible access point that’s just so much easier to get to.”
But, there are those who see the governor’s standing order as potentially dangerous, offering minors access to birth control.
“We’re a little concerned regarding this,” said Michael McDonald of the Catholic League. “It’s very bad for parental rights.”
McDonald said Gov. Hochul should instead focus her offers on issues he says are more pressing, like crime and inflation.
“What are we actually doing here that is going to benefit the lives of New Yorkers in a substantive way?” said McDonald. “It doesn’t seem to be any of her concern.”
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