Rowray bill to expand birth control access clears committee

INDIANAPOLIS – The House Public Health Committee this week approved a bill authored by State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray, R-Yorktown, that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills and patches.Currently, primary physicians are the sole prescribers of hormonal contraceptives. Rowray's legislation would allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control to Hoosier women 18 years old and older who complete a self-screening. She said pharmacists can serve a larger number of Hoosiers due to their locations and extended hours, which could really help women in rural areas, and those who are low-income and uninsured."Pharmacists are an important resource, especially in smaller communities with limited access to a primary care doctors," Rowray said. "Allowing pharmacists to prescribe patients contraceptives will greatly expand access to thousands of Hoosier women and reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies."Under Rowray's bill, pharmacists who object on the basis of ethical, moral or religious grounds would not be required to prescribe contraceptives.According to a study from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, barriers to access, such as cost or travel, are some of the main reasons for inconsistent or lack of birth control use. If passed, Indiana would join nearly half the states in the country that allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.House Bill 1568 now heads to full House for further consideration.