Access to Oral Contraception

Bottom Line

This bill allows pharmacists to continue to dispense self-administered oral hormone contraceptives to a patient who is 18 years old or without requiring the patient to renew their prescription each year. 

* The Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts must create rules that will require a pharmacist to complete training on dispensing oral contraceptives, to provide a self-screening risk assessment to a patient, to refer the patient to a healthcare practitioner, to provide the patient with a written record of the prescription, and to dispense the oral hormonal contraceptive as soon as practicable. 

Key Details

Legislation: HB 1410

Fiscal Impact: No anticipated fiscal impact

Progress in prior session: Referred to Children and Families Committee

States with Similar Legislation: CA, CO, DC, HI, ID, MD, MN, NH, NM, OR, UT, VA, WV

Background

  • According to the American College Health Association, nearly 40 percent of female college students use prescription oral contraceptives. 
  • Missouri has a historically higher rate of teen pregnancy than the rest of the nation.

Relevance to the UM System Student Body

  • Students in college often do not have time or the resources to make an appointment with their doctors back home to receive a birth control prescription or refill, allowing for gaps where unintended pregnancies may happen. 
  • If a student becomes pregnant, they may be forced to drop out of school and not complete their degree program.
  • Many students use oral contraception for more than just preventing pregnancies.
    • Both combination and progestin-only pills reduce menstrual cramps,lighten periods, and lower the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The combination pill can also help prevent or lessen acne, bone thinning, cysts in breasts and ovaries, endometrial and ovarian cancers, serious infections in your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus, iron deficiency (anemia), and more.