NC bill to allow access to birth control without prescription

RALEIGH, N.C. — A new North Carolina law that allows women to access birth control pills and patches without a doctor’s prescription is taking effect on Feb. 1.

The law, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper on Aug. 20., is part of a bill that says any pharmacist qualified to give vaccines can also dispense birth control pills and patches to any patient who has completed an assessment with the Centers for Disease Prevention’s United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC).

The bill clarifies that a prescription is still necessary for emergency contraception.

Qualified pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns will also be able to dispense prenatal vitamins, nicotine replacement therapy, HIV prevention medication, and glucagon for the treatment of hypoglycemia.

The bill comments on North Carolina’s public health ranking falling into the bottom half of the nation. It also explains that the effort to extend access to medication will be on par with laws already in effect in a third of the United States.

(WATCH BELOW: Law protecting patients from surprise medical bills takes effect Jan. 1)

Law protecting patients from surprise medical bills takes effect Jan. 1 (NCD)

©2022 Cox Media Group