The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services just announced plans to allow residents to get contraceptives ‘over-the-counter’ in pharmacies.
The new initiative will allow NC residents to access contraceptive services directly at independent and chain pharmacies without a prescription. Services will include counseling, education, dispensing of contraceptives, and connections to ongoing care if necessary.
Ingles Markets Pharmacies will start in select western counties by the end of May 2024, and Walgreens in central and eastern counties by the end of June 2024. Residents can find participating pharmacies using this online map.
“Expanding access to reproductive health care improves health outcomes for mothers, babies and families in North Carolina,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Thanks to the many pharmacies across the state that stepped up to ensure the people in their communities have access to contraception, pre-natal vitamins and other health care resources they need to thrive.”
In honor of Women’s Health Week, NCDHHS is celebrating the expansion of contraceptive services in independent and chain pharmacies across the state.
Learn more: https://t.co/RNSNuYXDYe pic.twitter.com/AcBLS6jtD8
— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) May 13, 2024
NCDHHS has partnered with the UNC School of Pharmacy and the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists to support pharmacies in adopting these protocols. Additionally, NC Medicaid began enrolling pharmacists as providers and paying a counseling code as of January 2024.
What do you think about the changes?
