PHARMACISTS in New York state will be able to distribute self-administered hormonal contraceptives from late next year, under new legislation approved by Governor Kathy Hochul last week.
No prescriptions will be required for oral birth control pills, vaginal rings and patches, as "part of a long journey to find more ways to protect the rights of women in the state of New York," Hochul said.
"We're going to do everything in our power to stop the backslide while expanding reproductive rights here in our state."
Doctors and nurse practitioners will be able to send pharmacists scripts for contraceptives that do not list the names of individuals.
Patients will fill out a self-screening risk assessment questionnaire to help pharmacists with appropriate training to identify any risk factors and decide on an appropriate contraceptive, at which stage the patient's name is inserted on the relevant prescription, according to Fox News.
Similar legislation has also been announced in Indiana this week.
Pharmacist participation in the program is voluntary, and they cannot be forced to prescribe based on moral, ethical or religious objections to the initiative.
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