Pharmacists may dispense hormonal contraception with prescriptions
Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald recently signed a standing order authorizing pharmacists to dispense three types of hormonal contraception medication without a prescription.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, his measure makes it easier for people who have difficulty accessing a primary care provider to get safe and effective contraception at their local pharmacy and furthers New York State’s mission to provide safe and legal family planning care to all.
“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack, New York State will continue to fight for every individual’s right to access the health care they need,” Hochul said in the release. “Starting a family is a deeply personal decision and New York State will always be a place where people can access safe and effective contraceptives.”
The standing order signed by McDonald pertains to three types of self-administered hormonal contraceptives that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy, which include the following:
• Oral hormonal pill
• Hormonal vaginal ring
• Hormonal contraceptive patch
Pharmacists who choose to participate can dispense up to 12 months of self-administered hormonal contraception of the individual’s preference and covered under their insurance, the release said. The announcement builds on several actions from Hochul since the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Hochul led New York State in protecting abortion access, the release said, including making a nation-leading $35 million investment to support abortion providers across the state, purchasing a fiveyear supply of misoprostol and signing laws protecting patients and providers and strengthening access for abortion care through telehealth services. As part of her FY2024 budget, Governor Hochul allocated $100.7 million in new funding to support abortion providers and reproductive health care.
The New York State Board of Regents, the agency that grants pharmacy licenses, voted on March 12, to approve an emergency amendment that was necessary before the State Health Commissioner could issue the standing order.
“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State continues to expand access to contraception options and break down longstanding barriers to reproductive care that persist across the nation,” McDonald said in the release. “This is about access to care and individual autonomy.
“By issuing a standing order to allow pharmacists to provide hormonal contraception medications, more people can choose the right reproductive care for themselves and the right time for them to have a child. New York State will continue to fight for reproductive rights and advance health equity through meaningful measures that broaden access to care for all.
“In partnership with the State Education Department, we will work with our licensed pharmacist professionals over the next several weeks so they’re ready to provide these important contraception medications.”
Participating pharmacists could be ready and able to dispense hormonal contraceptives over the next several weeks, according to the release. Individuals should reach out to their local pharmacy for more information about if and when the services will be available.
As part of this process, the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Education has developed a set of competencies required for pharmacists who choose to participate to self-attest. The release said pharmacists will need to maintain their own documentation of training and make it available to the state Department of Education upon request.
“Reproductive health is a fundamental human right,” New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said in the release. “Working with our partners at the Department of Health, we were able to deliver on the promise of expanded access to contraception medication for all New Yorkers.
“The State Education Department is committed to ensuring the public’s safety every day through our oversight and work with New York’s licensed professions and are grateful for the role our pharmacists are playing to provide this important healthcare service to the residents of our state,” she continued. “I thank the Board of Regents for their swift action on the regulatory changes necessary to implement this vital law and for their commitment to breaking down barriers and empowering communities across the state.”
Before dispensing these self-administered medications, a pharmacist is required to provide the individual with a self-screening patient intake form, the release said. If the pharmacist deems the selected medication appropriate, they will provide counseling including direction for self-administered usage, potential risks associated
with medications and risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Individuals will have to self-screen at minimum every 12 months, and pharmacists will be required to notify an individual’s primary health care practitioner within 72 hours of dispensing the medication unless the patient requests otherwise.
“New York pharmacists are pleased to once again join the state in expanding patients’ access to reproductive health care,” Pharmacists Society of the State of New York Board President Leigh McConchie, RPh said in the release. “Self-administered hormonal contraceptives are used by thousands of New Yorkers for a variety of reproductive health needs — including but not limited to the treatment of irregular menstrual cycle—as well as to prevent a pregnancy.
“A patient’s pharmacy is often more available and convenient than a physician’s office or reproductive health care office, especially when time is of the essence,” she continued. “Today’s emergency standing order further empowers pharmacists to play a vital role in the overall patient health care team, and we commend Governor Hochul, Commissioner McDonald and NYSDOH for cementing New York’s stance as a leader in reproductive rights for all.”
More information on the New York State standing order can be found on the State Department of Health’s website health. ny.gov/community/reproductive_health or the State Education Department’s website op.nysed.gov/professions/pharmacist/frequently-asked-questions/ Dispensing-of-Hormonal-Contraception.