{"id":32983,"date":"2023-10-17T09:13:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T13:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=32983"},"modified":"2023-10-17T09:22:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T13:22:52","slug":"cronkite-news-new-regulations-expand-access-to-contraceptives-in-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/10\/17\/cronkite-news-new-regulations-expand-access-to-contraceptives-in-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Cronkite News: New regulations expand access to contraceptives in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Katie<\/a>
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signs an executive order addressing reproductive freedom on June 23, 2023. On July 6, she announced new regulations for expanded access to over-the-counter hormonal contraceptives. Photo: GovernorHobbs<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
Contraceptives will be available at pharmacies without a prescription, increasing accessibility for Arizona women<\/div>\r\n
Tuesday, October 17, 2023<\/div>\r\n
By Angelina Steel<\/div>\r\n
Cronkite News<\/DIV>\r\n
cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nPHOENIX — Arizona regulators this summer finalized long-awaited rules that allow expanded access to over-the-counter hormonal contraceptives for women over age 18 in the state.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cReproductive freedom is critical to the individuals and families working hard to create a life for themselves in Arizona,\u201d Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a July 6 news release<\/a> publicizing the new legislation.

<\/P>\r\nThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/a> supports over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception, pointing out the requirement for a prescription can be an obstacle for those who use contraceptives. The professional organization recommends over-the-counter contraceptives because they can be a cheaper and easier option for women who are uninsured, live in rural areas, or have to make special arrangements in order to see a health care provider.

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Governor\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tGovernor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) on X\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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I\u2019m proud that today, Arizona is expanding access to over the counter contraception without a prescription.\u00a0Building an Arizona for everyone means ensuring people across the state have what they need to live a free and healthy life. https:\/\/t.co\/wj9o1yIUas<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

\n\t\t\"X\t\tX (formerly Twitter)\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHowever, Arizona pharmacists say the process, which likely won’t be available at local pharmacies until the end of the fall, won’t really be \u201cover the counter.\u201d

<\/P>\r\nWhile a prescription won\u2019t be required for most women to obtain the medication, it\u2019s not as easy as picking up Tylenol or Plan B off the shelf.

<\/P>\r\nArizona Pharmacy Association<\/a> CEO Kelly Fine says it\u2019s not over the counter because you will still have to meet with a pharmacist in order to obtain the medication.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIf you were going into the pharmacy and you asked, \u2018Can you recommend something for a headache?\u2019 we can walk out and give you a product over the counter,\u201d Fine said. \u201cThose are truly over the counter. Birth-control pills dispensed by pharmacists are still prescription drugs and are not over the counter. You just do not have to come in with a prescription to receive them due to this new legislation.\u201d

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\r\n\"Kelly<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Arizona Pharmacy Association CEO Kelly Fine. Photo courtesy of Kelly Fine<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAccording to the nonprofit organization, Power to Decide<\/a>, over 19 million women live in contraceptive deserts<\/a>, areas where women lack reasonable access to centers that offer a full range of contraceptives. The organization uses research to map out the entire country, highlighting areas where women have to travel long distances to access a health center. The organization emphasizes that many women cannot afford to take time off from work, find a babysitter and travel those distances.

<\/P>\r\nA KFF Women\u2019s Health survey<\/a> in 2022 found that over 36% of oral contraceptive users between the ages of 18 and 49 have missed taking their birth control on time because they were not able to get their next supply; 55% of these women were uninsured.

<\/P>\r\nIn order to secure the so-called over-the-counter birth control, Arizonans still may need to schedule an appointment with their pharmacist. And health officials urge women to check first, since pharmacies are not required to participate.

<\/P>\r\nAccording to the legislation, SB 1082, a pharmacist will be required to obtain a nationally recognized self-screening risk assessment from each patient, and provide the patient with information about the contraceptive being dispensed.

<\/P>\r\nFine said those looking to benefit from the service will have to go in and fill out a questionnaire about their health history so the pharmacist can determine which form of medication, whether it be the pill, patch or vaginal ring, will be safe for them. The pharmacist will then use that questionnaire to ask additional questions to determine if the person has any contraindications. Additionally, they may have their blood pressure measured. Anyone who does not pass the screening may be referred back to their doctor. Those who qualify and have no contraindications may receive the medication.

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Governor\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tGovernor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) on X\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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I signed an Executive Order protecting Arizonans\u2019 reproductive freedom. I will not allow extreme and out of touch politicians to get in the way of the fundamental rights of Arizonans. My Executive Order does four things to the full extent of my authority:<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

\n\t\t\"X\t\tX (formerly Twitter)\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nIn order to provide the service, Fine says, pharmacists are required to go through extensive training specific to hormonal contraceptives. Because of the training and preparation pharmacies must go through, Fine explains that the service won\u2019t be available until the end of the fall season and pharmacies may charge a professional or consultation fee that the customer will be expected to pay out of pocket.

<\/P>\r\nAccording to the Arizona Department of Health Services<\/a>, patients are financially responsible for the service and may provide proof of insurance or out-of-pocket payment.

<\/P>\r\nFine says that despite it not being over the counter, she\u2019s excited for the service to start rolling out because it will remove barriers that exist for some women and improve access to medications.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a great option for women to get hormonal contraceptives. It\u2019s going to be more convenient and improve compliance,\u201d Fine said. \u201cWhen your prescription runs out, you don\u2019t have to schedule an appointment with your provider. You will be able to request refills from your pharmacist.\u201d

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\r\n\"Sharon<\/a> \r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Dr. Sharon Thompson, a gynecologist at Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology. Photo courtesy of Dr. Sharon Thompson<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nDr. Sharon Thompson, a gynecologist at Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology<\/a>, says while there are health concerns regarding the service, it\u2019s no more than any over-the-counter medication.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThere are health concerns but I\u2019ll tell you this. Everything in medicine is about risk versus benefit. Tylenol and ibuprofen can have very serious health effects when taken by people with certain health conditions,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cI trust that the vast majority of women are smart enough to read instructions and use these medications to their benefit.\u201d

<\/P>\r\nThompson feels this is a step in the right direction for women’s reproductive health.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWomen\u2019s reproductive health needs to take its place among the rest of the body parts and not be controversial,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cThis might bring down the temperature about reproductive health.\u201d

<\/P>\r\nShe feels the reason a prescription has been required for contraceptives, is because of controversy around women’s reproductive health.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cEvery time we talk about women’s reproductive health it becomes whether we\u2019re talking about religion or politics. I just want it to be biology,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cI just want women\u2019s reproductive health to be as uncontroversial as talking about cold medicine or Viagra.\u201d

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