Health News & Updates: California Now Allows Buying Birth Control Pills Over-The-Counter

Women in California can now buy birth control pills over-the-counter courtesy of a new law that was released on April 8. This means that drug stores all over California could now sell any form of contraceptive, whether taken orally, through injection or through vaginal application.

The Inquisitr reported this huge change in the pharmacy industry involving the selling of birth control pills without the need for a prescription. Over the years, this has been an issue for women who would like to have easier access to contraceptive pills. But not anymore since the CEO of California Pharmacists Association (CPA), John Roth, confirmed, "There are no restrictions for women to get birth control from their pharmacist."

A photo posted by Pam Mirabadi, M.D. (@drpammirabadi) on Apr 9, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT

Roth also said that although it is practically now available to all women anytime, pharmacists were still given the right to not sell it should they notice some clinical contraindication. There are still rules that women should follow before they can actually purchase some birth control pills. Technically, they still can't just buy it like candies or vitamins; the point of the law is to simply make birth control pills more accessible. Instead of having to visit the doctor first for a prescription, they could simply ask the pharmacist on duty.

NBC Los Angeles said that women would be given questionnaires to answer regarding their health. They could also ask the help of pharmacists, as to what is the best contraceptive suitable in their current health status. If they requested for a specific birth control pill that could harm their heart, then they should first take a blood pressure test before they could get a prescription.

Nonetheless, it is still way easier for women in California to buy contraceptives than in other states that don't have this new law. Are you in favor of this change? Feel free to post your comment below.