Boston Herald | Pharmacists could prescribe hormonal contraceptives under FY24 budget language
Story Originally Appeared in The Boston Herald
Registered pharmacists in Massachusetts could prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control patches or self-administered oral pills to any person, regardless of whether they have evidence of a previous prescription, under language included in the pending state budget.
Advocates behind the measure say allowing pharmacists to hand out birth control over the counter opens up access to medication that prevents unwanted pregnancies as residents grapple with a shortage of primary care physicians in Massachusetts.
The proposal — first pitched as standalone legislation but later included in the fiscal 2024 budget now awaiting action from Gov. Maura Healey — is backed by state Sen. Michael Moore.
The Millbury Democrat said some people often have to wait three or even six months to see their primary care physicians. The measure also opens the door to hormonal contraceptives for people who do not have health insurance, Moore said.
“They can go to the pharmacist and get access to the contraceptives without having to put themselves at risk of an unwanted pregnancy,” he said.
Lawmakers kicked most of the work required to allow prescriptions to start flowing from pharmacists to the Department of Public Health, which is tasked with developing rules alongside the Board of Registration in Pharmacy and the state’s Division of Medical Assistance.
Those rules must require a pharmacist to complete a training program that covers prescribing hormonal birth control; call for a self-screening risk assessment tool for patients to use; require pharmacists to refer patients to their primary care once they receive contraceptives; and provide the patient with a written record of their prescription, among other things.
The rules will also have to bar pharmacists from requiring patients to schedule an appointment and prohibit prescriptions of hormonal birth control for patients who “previously received a prescription and dispensation” of medication and do not have evidence of a clinical visit “within the time frame established” by regulators, the bill text said.
Moore said 27 other states already allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control.
Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder said birth control gives people the ability to control their own “reproductive destiny” and make personal decisions about if, when, and how they want to start a family.
Allowing registered pharmacists to dispense hormonal contraceptives, Hart Holder said, helps people who have had problems obtaining a prescription for refills due to “unnecessary” clinical visits or examination requirements.
“It’s just critically important that the Legislature acted in the budget to expand access to birth control, giving pharmacists the ability to prescribe hormonal contraception, which of course includes pills and patches,” Hart Holder said. “[It] means that more people will get access to that consistent birth control that they need.”
Healey has 10 days to review the fiscal 2023 budget. The Legislature sent it to her desk on July 31, giving her until Aug. 10 to act on the spending plan.