ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--BIRTH CONTROL JUST BECAME EASIER TO ACCESS IN THE STATE, FOLLOWING AN ORDER FROM the GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER DIRECTING PHARMACISTS TO PROVIDE A FEW DIFFERENT KINDS OF CONTRACEPTION WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

Gov. Kathy HOCHUL SAid THIS ORDEr IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN IN AREAS SUCH AS RURAL COMMUNITIES, WHERE THERE AREN’T AS MANY PRACTITIONERS AVAILABLE.   

“This is a big moment for women of New York. Up until now, you could not walk into a pharmacy and be able to purchase contraception to meet your various healthcare needs,” said Hochul. 

THE ORDER ALLOWS PHARMACISTS TO PROVIDE THREE TYPES OF SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES—AN ORAL PILL, VAGINAL RING, AND CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH.  

PARTICIPATING PHARMACISTS CAN ALSO DISPENSE UP TO A YEAR'S SUPPLY.  

“You know pharmacies are all over this state. And pharmacists are more than happy to work with us in this area. We know that the vast majority of pharmacies are excited about this and ready to help us in this regard,” said James McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.

THE COMMISSIONER SAid THE BIRTH CONTROL THROUGH THIS ORDER IS COVERED BY INSURANCE WITHOUT ANY COPAYS.  

THE GOVERNOR emphasized THIS ORDER COMES AT AN IMPORTANT TIME.  

“Reproductive rights continue to be under attack all the way from Washington to state houses across our great country– and just another way to reaffirm our commitment to making sure that women in the State of New York have all these rights to reproductive freedom,” she said.