Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives
Background
Access to contraception empowers people to decide whether and when to become pregnant, influencing their health and well-being and supporting their reproductive autonomy. Contraception is widely used in the United States—the pill is the most common method, while an increasing number of people are using other hormonal methods. Many people could benefit from increased access to these methods. “Pharmacy access” laws authorize pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives, which can make contraceptive care more accessible and affordable by eliminating the need for a separate visit to a health care provider to obtain a prescription. Importantly, pharmacist prescribing of contraceptives has been proven to be safe and effective.
In 2016, states began to implement pharmacy access policies for contraception. The language of the laws varies: Some do not name particular methods, some mention specific methods such as the patch or the pill, and some refer to the broader category of self-administered hormonal contraceptives. These laws usually allow any individual to seek contraceptive care at a pharmacy, although some prohibit or limit access for those who are younger than 18. Some states require pharmacists to receive training in contraceptive care. State requirements differ, but patients may receive one or more of the following: educational materials, counseling from the pharmacist or a self-screening risk assessment tool that determines their eligibility for a particular method. Pharmacists in states where these laws have been passed can choose whether to provide contraceptive care, although some states also explicitly allow pharmacists to opt out.
Visit our state legislation tracker for policy activity on all sexual and reproductive health topics.
Highlights
- 28 states and the District of Columbia allow pharmacists to provide contraceptive care.
- 27 states specify the contraceptive methods that pharmacists are allowed to prescribe.
- 12 states prohibit or limit pharmacist prescribing for patients who are younger than 18.
- 7 states require a patient to see a primary care provider after a specific period of time to continue receiving contraceptives from a pharmacist.
- 24 states and DC place requirements on pharmacists regarding training on contraceptives or patient care.
- 23 states and DC require pharmacists to receive training.
- 13 states and DC require pharmacists to provide educational materials.
- 14 states and DC require pharmacists to provide counseling.
- 24 states and DC require pharmacists to provide a screening tool to determine patient eligibility.
5 states explicitly allow pharmacists to refuse to prescribe contraceptives.
For more information
Public Policy Office
Topic
United States
Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives |
||||||||
State |
Methods specified |
Patient must: |
Pharmacist must: |
Pharmacist may refuse |
||||
|
|
Be 18 or older |
See primary care provider to continue |
Receive training |
Provide educational materials |
Provide counseling |
Provide screening tool |
|
Arizona |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X |
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
Arkansas† |
Oral contraceptives |
X |
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
California |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives, emergency contraception |
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Colorado |
Patch, pill |
X |
Within 3 years |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Connecticut |
Hormonal contraceptives |
X |
X |
X |
|
|||
Delaware |
Hormonal contraceptives, injectable hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
X |
X |
|
X |
|
District of Columbia |
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Hawaii |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
Idahoβ |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives and injectable hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois |
Hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Ω |
Indiana |
Pill, patch |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||
Maine |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives and injectable hormonal contraceptives |
|
X |
X |
||||
Maryland |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Michigan |
Pill, patch and ring |
|||||||
Minnesota |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X^ |
Within 3 years |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Nevada |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
|
X |
|
X |
|
New Hampshire |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
|
|
X |
|
X |
X |
|
New Jersey |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X | X | X | ||||
New Mexico |
Hormonal and nonhormonal; over-the-counter and prescription, including pill, patch, injectable, ring, emergency contraception |
|
Within 1 year |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
New York |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X | X | X | ||||
North Carolina |
Pill, patch |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Oregon |
Pill, patch, injectable |
X^ |
Within 3 years |
X |
|
|
X |
|
South Carolina |
Pill, patch, injectable, ring | X^ | X | X | X | X | X | |
Tennessee |
Pill, patch |
X^ |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Utah |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X |
Within 2 years |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Vermont |
Pill, patch, ring |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia+ |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X |
Within 3 years |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
Washington‡ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Virginia |
Self-administered hormonal contraceptives |
X |
Within 1 year |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
TOTAL |
27 |
12 |
7 |
23 + DC |
13 + DC |
14 + DC |
24 + DC |
5 |
Note: Self-administered hormonal contraceptives include the pill, the patch, the vaginal ring and the injectable. † Pharmacist cannot prescribe more than a six-month supply if the patient has not seen a primary care or women’s health provider in the past six months.
|