In Oregon, 2016 will be known as the year that birth control was available for over-the-counter purchase. A bill signed by Governor Kate Brown during the summer of 2015 is the reason that as of January 1st, women are able to have birth control prescribed by pharmacists.
Here are three things we know about the new law.
1. Women under 18 will still need a prescription
The new law will allow any woman over the age of 18 to fill out a series of questions at a pharmacy and then have birth control prescribed by a pharmacist. In the case of any woman under the age of 18, the woman would need a prescription from her doctor in order to have the birth control prescribed by a pharmacy. That being said, according to WKRN, this aspect of the law will go away after a few years.
2. Birth control will be able to be purchased in bulk
Any woman in Oregon will have the option of getting up to a year’s worth of birth control in one visit — this because most insurances cover a year’s worth of birth control.
3. A pharmacist can refuse to prescribe birth control
The law does contain the caveat that pharmacists are allowed to refuse selling of birth control, but they must refer any inquiries to another pharmacy if they choose to refuse the sale.
It’ll be interesting to see how other states follow suit.
Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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