New NC law allows pharmacists to dispense birth control, other medication over the counter - WLOS

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A new North Carolina law aims to expand access to birth control and certain other medications.

The new law allows pharmacists to dispense birth control pills and patches without a doctor’s prescription.

North Carolina joins more than a dozen other states in making contraception available over the counter.

This part of the North Carolina law, based on House Bill 96, went into effect Feb. 1.

The patient must complete an assessment with the CDC and a prescription will still be necessary for emergency contraception.

Dr. Robert Malsby, medical director for MAHEC's department of OBGYN, spoke with News 13 on Wednesday about how this new law could help shrink North Carolina's roughly 44% unplanned pregnancy rate.

“What we’re hoping is with this new access to birth control that we’re going to be able to help to lower that, because the most important thing is having accessible, effective and affordable management options," Dr. Malsby said.

The law also allows qualified pharmacists to give medications like HIV prevention, nicotine replacement therapy and prenatal vitamins over the counter.

“This is going to go a long way as far as getting that access for folks, so that they can make those decisions and know that they are having a secure form of contraception," Dr. Malsby said.

Dr. Malsby stresses that when you go to talk with a pharmacist about getting birth control, make sure you tell them your complete medical history to help in making the most informed decision about which kind is best for you.

source: https://wlos.com/news/local/birth-control-over-the-counter-north-carolina-house-bill-96-pharmacists-medications-hiv-prevention-patches

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