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The process for females to obtain birth control in North Carolina just became a whole lot easier, thanks to a new law. That law, which went into effect Feb. 1, allows women to get birth control, prenatal vitamins and other critical medications at select pharmacies without a prescription—and save themselves a trip to the doctor’s office.
With this move, NC joins more than a dozen other states in easing the restrictions surrounding birth control—which “helps restore bodily autonomy and medical freedom at a time when reproductive health in the Southeast is under dire straits,” says Jennifer Driver, senior director of reproductive rights at the State Innovation Exchange.
Now, while an Rx is no longer required, you can’t just walk into a pharmacy and buy birth control like it’s ibuprofen. You’ll have to go through a screening process—and it is recommended that women still reach out to a health care provider or physician to get more information about birth control.
Moreover, the pharmacist also has to direct the patient to a primary care provider, and if the patient does not have one, the pharmacist must provide the patient with resources to get a PCP.
In addition to lowering NC’s unintended pregnancy rate—which is at 44%—the law should also help improve NC’s low health care rating while offering accessible health care for all North Carolinians, according to Democrat NC Sen. Sarah Crawford (District 18: Franklin, Wake), who helped shepherd the bill through the Republican legislature.
“I am really proud to have voted for this legislation that expands access to birth control, and I think it is a great opportunity to eliminate barriers for women getting the health care they need,” Crawford says.
NC opening up to laws regarding access to contraceptives goes hand-in-hand with Roe v. Wade and the state’s abortion law, which are forward on many people’s minds.
“The bill had a lot of bipartisan support, so when we think about potential attacks on Roe v. Wade, it will be important for state legislators to be proactive in protecting a woman’s right to access health care that is best for her,” adds Crawford. “Certainly I will be working to be proactive on anything that might be coming down from the federal government or Supreme Court that restricts a woman’s right to health care.”
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