Governor Kate Brown signed into law legislation to allow women to purchase birth control without a doctor’s prescription. The proposal was introduced and championed by Rep. Knute Buehler, an orthopedic surgeon from Bend. Buehler says Oregon could be the first in the nation to implement the change.
“Oregon is now the easiest place in the nation for women to access birth control,” said Buehler. “We are leading the rest of the country on improving women’s health in the 21st century.”
The legislation (HB 2879) would allow birth control to be sold behind the counter at local pharmacies without a physician visit and prescription. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Board of Pharmacists would be responsible for structuring rules to ensure safe prescribing by pharmacists – including brief training for pharmacists, a self-screening test for contraindications, and notifying the customer’s primary care provider. The contraceptives would still be covered by insurance, which is important to lower costs for consumers.
“It makes no sense that men should have unrestricted access to contraceptives, while women must first get a prescription from their physician,” said Buehler. “As a doctor, I believe birth control should be as easy and accessible as possible. If a woman wants to purchase birth control at her local pharmacy, she should be able to do that without having to schedule an appointment with a doctor.”
Oregon joins California as the only other state to pass similar legislation. Since California has yet to develop their administrative rules around the change, Oregon could become the first in the country to implement this historic expansion of access. The idea has also picked up traction on the federal level; Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) and Patty Murray (D-Washington) have both introduced versions of the bill.
“Oregon has the rare opportunity to drive the national conversation around women’s health, family security, and poverty. This will become landmark legislation that reduces unplanned pregnancies, gives women more control, and affirms Oregon’s reputation as a leader in health care innovation,” said Buehler.
