Oregon is the second state to pass the law, but the first one to put it into effect. Starting Jan. 1, pharmacists in the state of Oregon can now prescribe birth control pills to those who are qualified. California is said to be following next and soon other states are expected to reconsider their laws regarding the contraceptive method.
This law pertaining to birth control pills began when the Centers for Disease and Control Prevision (CDC) took notice of the rise of cervical cancer patients in the country. They said that cervical cancer can be prevented through a simple screening test by doctors every three years, Jewocity reported.
The Oregon law states that, in order for women to get their pills, a questionnaire must be filled out and a brief consultation with the pharmacist is needed. However, there are some who believe that this law will also make women put preventive health checks on the side.
In the state of California, women below 18 years old are the only ones required to consult a pharmacist when purchasing birth control pills. Also a pharmacist in the state can also refuse to provide prescriptions for religious reasons but must direct a patient to another pharmacist.
The new law will subject Oregon women to take added steps in getting their birth control pills. A physical exam is now needed before a prescription is provided which will then be forwarded to a pharmacist. However, Dr. Alison Edelman of Oregon Health & Science University informed KOIN said preventive care and easy access to birth control pills are entirely different things. They should be studied independently from each other, Tampa Bay Review reported.
With this new law, pharmacists in the state of Oregon must now undergo a training session before being allowed to prescribe birth control pills.