California pharmacists can now dispense birth control pills without a prescription under a law originally passed in 2013, despite objections from right-to-life groups and other critics.
The law, SB 493, which went into effect on Friday, allows females over the age of 17 to fill out a questionnaire and talk with a pharmacist before receiving birth control, said the
Los Angeles Times. The law had been held up by regulatory discussion.
The Times said the new measure covers self-administered hormonal birth control, such as pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings. Birth control that requires a physician procedure, such as inserting arm implants and intrauterine devices, or IUDs, are not covered by the law.
Camille Giglio, a spokeswoman for California Right for Life, told the
San Jose Mercury News that the law ushers in numerous concerns.
"They say it's for women, but they mean anyone,'' Giglio said. She added that teenage girls are "the most vulnerable to being talked into things by school nurses and teachers, and proponents of organizations that make a living off abortion and selling contraceptives."
"The ability to get contraceptives from yet another source is not a benefit to young people. It is a barrier to communication between a mother and a child."
KPIX-TV said other critics worried the law could have the unintended consequence of reducing the number of women getting tested for STDs and breast cancer.
Jon Roth, chief executive officer of the California Pharmacists Association, said in a
statement that the measure will increase the availability of birth control to women.
"California's 6,500 community pharmacies are the face of neighborhood healthcare in this state," Roth said. "Community pharmacies are open beyond normal business hours and patients do not need an appointment to see their pharmacist. That means these regulations will go a long way to expanding women's access to birth control."
California joins Oregon and Washington state, which have similar birth control laws, said KPIX-TV. Hawaii, New Mexico, and Alaska are expected to pass such laws as well.
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