Arizona expands access to contraceptives after Gov. Katie Hobbs issues order
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Arizonans soon can purchase contraception at pharmacies without a prescription.
The standing order, announced by Gov. Katie Hobbs, went into effect Thursday, and patients seeking contraceptives must meet the requirements of being at least 18 years old, passing a health screening and blood pressure test, and completing a questionnaire to determine the appropriate contraceptive and whether a clinic referral is needed.
Pharmacists will have to undergo training before they can dispense birth control.
"Reproductive freedom is critical to the individuals and families working hard to create a life for themselves in Arizona,” said Hobbs in a written statement. "We are building an Arizona for everyone, which means ensuring people across the state have what they need to live a free and healthy life."
Tom Herrmann, a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Health and Services, told The Arizona Republic that the order comes after seeking input from the medical community as well as evaluating practices in other states.
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According to previous Republic reporting, 21 states and the District of Columbia have had rules allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. The other states are Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed the 2021 law allowing pharmacists to dispense self-administered contraceptives – the pill, the patch or the ring – to patients who are at least 18 years old. The bill attracted bipartisan support, passing the Arizona House of Representatives 33 to 24 and the state Senate by a vote of 21 to 8.
The law allows pharmacists to administer contraceptives in general and Hobbs' standing order requires them to do so without a prescription from a doctor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona expands access to over-the-counter contraception
