Contraceptive alternatives; Photo via Unsplash.By Samantha Connors | It’s taken a few months, but a measure to expand birth control access at pharmacies is finally getting some traction. The South Carolina General Assembly in May passed the Pharmacy Access Act to create an alternative way for women to get access to birth control — directly from pharmacists. Last month, the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners and S.C. Board of Pharmacy issued a long-expected protocol of guidelines that describe exactly how pharmacists have new powers to dispense some forms of hormonal contraceptives.
But just because the protocols are in place, that doesn’t mean most pharmacists know about the new guidelines. Why? Because the agencies have been fiddling with the language of the statute and creating a FAQ page.
Holly Beeson, counsel to the office of communications and governmental affairs at the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), told Statehouse Report Friday that the department intends to notify pharmacies today, but additional changes could delay the announcement.
“We want to make sure we get everything right,” Beeson said.
Until November 16, women have had to go to their doctor annually to get prescriptions for contraceptives. But with these new rules in place, pharmacists can dispense contraceptives without an annual doctor visit. Note, however, that the new protocol requires anyone not on birth control to get an initial doctor’s check-up and prescription before any dispensing is done by pharmacists. But after that, they can bypass the doctor’s office.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law May 23, which authorized pharmacies that meet the boards’ requirements to administer injectable contraceptives or dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills. Since then, the agencies spent months working out the methods that pharmacies can use to provide the contraceptives to the public.
“Once the requirements as set forth in the protocols are met, pharmacists can dispense,” said Beeson. “It is important to note that in South Carolina, pharmacists may dispense or administer these contraceptives via protocol. This is not the same language as other states, which specify pharmacists can ‘prescribe’ as South Carolina requires each participating pharmacy to have a standing order from a licensed prescribe.”
The law required the agency to issue new rules by November 23. Guidelines were approved and added to the LLR website November 16, Beeson said, but as of December 1, no formal notification had been sent to pharmacies announcing the release of this information.
Big win for women
“Giving women easier access to birth control is a long-term collective goal of so many groups. This is a great step forward,” said Vicki Ringer, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “We know that birth control is safe and effective with fewer side effects than acetaminophen and ibuprofen. So safe, in fact, that contraceptives are sold off the shelf at stores in 120 industrialized countries.”
Participation in the newly-authorized option by pharmacies in South Carolina is voluntary, which means not all pharmacies will offer the service. Check with your local pharmacy to learn more.
Nevertheless, advocates like Ringer say the new law will expand birth control access, particularly in rural areas, where pharmacies may be more easily accessible than doctors’ offices. This law also eliminates the need for an annual doctor’s visit before receiving a prescription, which saves women time and money. Medical professionals, however, highly recommend that women visit their doctor sometime throughout the year for check-ups and screenings.
“Allowing women to obtain birth control without a doctor’s visit and a patient-specific prescription will mean a cost savings for so many women, especially those who are uninsured. For everyone, this is a time saver,” Ringer said.
“We know that many unplanned pregnancies occur between birth control refills. Eliminating that time lapse while women may be waiting for a doctor’s appointment should reduce the number of missed birth control doses and, therefore, reduce unplanned pregnancies.”
The guidelines state that participating pharmacies may not dispense or administer contraceptives 24 months after the initial prescription without verification that the individual has visited a medical practitioner at some point within that time frame.
Each person seeking contraceptives through a participating pharmacy is required to fill out a self-screening risk assessment questionnaire to help pharmacists determine whether it is safe to provide birth control. Returning patients are given the same screening questions every 12 months.
“As more women become aware and comfortable with this new program, we expect it to have positive measurable results,” Ringer said. “When we are able to plan if and when to become parents, an improved quality of life exists for everyone.”
- View the protocols and screening test at llr.sc.gov.
- Samantha Connors is an editor at the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
So in order to get your birth control you must see the doctor every two years. This is going to be a burden to folks without health insurance. Why should all drugs that can potentially cause problems not be put under the same requirement. Tylenol is likely much more dangerous. This state is still trying to put up roadblocks to women having full access to birth control. They want women to not be able to control their lives and be forced to give birth to babies that they cannot afford or care for.
That’s not quite right. You MAY have to see your doctor every two years. Before this was in place, the requirement was to see your doctor every year for birth control prescription renewal.