For these reasons, ACOG has long been a public supporter of OTC access to oral contraceptives, as it already is in many countries around the world. ACOG supports efforts to increase affordable, reliable access for American women to the contraceptives they need, when they need them.
However, the pharmacist-prescribing laws do not go far enough in expanding access to contraception. A pharmacist’s prescription simply exchanges one barrier – a physician’s prescription – for another.
Women still need to arrange a consultation with a pharmacist during pharmacy hours and any potential cost associated with that consultation would add out-of-pocket expenses. This will not allow us to reach women who remain underserved by the current prescribing requirements. For example, this may prevent women who are uninsured or underinsured from accessing contraception. For some, the need to visit a health care provider prevents access to contraception.
ACOG continues to stand by full, no-copay coverage of all FDA-approved methods of birth control, under the Affordable Care Act, as we recognize that OTC access to birth control is not a blanket solution. We also continue to strongly advocate for access to long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, the most effective method of preventing pregnancy.
Pharmacists and ob.gyns. alike share a commitment to quality patient care. However, if our shared goal is increasing access to safe, effective contraception, women should be trusted to control their reproductive lives and should be able to do so without barriers.
Dr. DeFrancesco is an ob.gyn. in Cheshire, Conn., and the president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He reported having no relevant financial disclosures.