House passes bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives
A bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives without the need for a doctor’s visit passed the New Hampshire House by voice vote Thursday, as legislators sought to reduce access barriers to birth control.
The bill, HB 1822, does not allow any pharmacist to begin prescribing automatically; they must first be issued standing orders by physicians. Once empowered, the pharmacists would be guided by a national training program for hormonal contraceptives.
Under the bill, potential patients would be screened and given information on potential risks, a provision intended to head off those with pre-existing conditions. The practice would be required to be covered by insurance companies, including the cost of the original screening.
Proponents said removing the requirement for doctor’s visits would eliminate what can be a daunting barrier, and encourage more to seek contraceptives. New Hampshire has the lowest unintended pregnancy rate in the country, but advocates say it could be lower.
Read more: http://www.concordmonitor.com/New-Hampshire-House-passes-bill-to-allow-pharmacists-to-prescribe-contraceptives-16371569