Pharmacists will be able to distribute self-administered hormonal contraceptives

New Yorkers won’t have to go through their doctors to get prescription contraceptives. The law will take effect in November 2024 and trained pharmacists will be able to distribute self-administered hormonal contraceptives including oral birth control pills, vaginal rings, and the patch.

Under the law, doctors and nurse practitioners will be able to send pharmacists prescriptions for such contraceptives that don’t list the names of specific patients. After a patient fills out a self-screening risk assessment questionnaire to help a pharmacists identify any risk factors and decide on an appropriate contraceptive, the pharmacist would fill in the patient’s name on the relevant prescription.