Access to contraception empowers people to decide whether and when to become pregnant, which in turn supports their health, well-being and bodily autonomy. The pill is the most commonly used method and an increasing number of people are using other methods of self-administered hormonal and nonhormonal contraceptives. These include patches, injectables, rings and emergency contraception obtained over the counter or by prescription.
Pharmacy access laws authorize pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives in person or through telehealth, making contraceptive care more accessible and affordable by eliminating the need for a separate visit to a health care provider to obtain a prescription. Since the Dobbs decision in June 2022, some states have proactively codified the ability of pharmacists to dispense contraception without a prescription and to dispense an extended supply of 3–12 months. Other states, including Washington, allow pharmacists to prescribe only under the prescribing authority of a clinician in what is called a collective practice agreement. Some states have also taken steps to protect insurance coverage for contraception.
Importantly, dispensing of contraceptives by pharmacists has proven to be safe and effective. This data contributed to the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Opill (norgestrel) tablets, the first daily oral contraceptive approved for nonprescription use in the United States, which became available in early 2024. But barriers to pharmacy contraceptive access remain, such as cost, privacy concerns and parental consent requirements. In addition, many states have provisions allowing pharmacists or health care providers more generally to refuse to provide contraceptive care. These barriers, along with new legislative attacks on contraceptive access, still place contraception out of reach for many patients.