On Thursday, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the expansion of access to over-the-counter contraception that will soon be available to Arizonans.
Arizonans 18 years and older will be able receive contraceptives at their local pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has signed off on the rules crafted by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy that cancels the requirement that women must have an individual prescription to obtain contraceptives.
The standing order goes into effect immediately and patients seeking contraceptives will be required to complete a screening and blood pressure test.
Arizonans are encouraged to call ahead to their pharmacy to confirm they will be able to have their contraceptive dispensed at that location.
Over 20 states now have laws that allow pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved hormonal contraceptives without a prescription.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists testified in favor of the proposed legislation and submitted a letter in May to the Arizona Board of Pharmacy supporting the new rule. They believe the change “will decrease access barriers to contraception yet still maintain the clinician consultation for the patient.”
However, obtaining birth control won’t be as simple as grabbing a bottle of Advil. Customers will first have to complete out a questionnaire asking certain personal habits and health conditions. One of the questions will be if they smoke. That act is considered a risk factor for blood clots for women who take hormonal contraceptives.
After reviewing the form, pharmacists reserve the right to refuse to sell the contraceptive if he or she believes the pills could cause health problems.
The new law does in fact only apply to adults. Anyone younger than 18 looking to purchase birth control will still needs a prescription from their doctor.
