FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Some Las Cruces Pharmacies Not Filling Prescriptions
For Emergency Contraception
Four out of Nine Pharmacies Surveyed do not Fill Prescriptions
Las Cruces, N.M. NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico announced its findings of a survey of Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP) access in Las Cruces Pharmacies at the first annual Spring Luncheon for pro-choice activists today.
Emergency contraception has been available and proven safe for more than 25 years, yet few Americans are aware that contraceptive methods are available that can prevent pregnancy after sex. In fact, only seven percent of women aged 18 to 44 have used emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). Emergency contraception may be used when other contraceptive methods fail or are not used, including when women are sexually assaulted. Although emergency contraceptive methods are not a substitute for ongoing contraceptive use and do not protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, these important and underutilized contraceptive options can reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion. The pills should be used as soon after unprotected sex as possible, up to 72 hours after.
According to executive director Giovanna Rossi, women often have a difficult time getting emergency contraception pills in a timely manner because of obstacles such as pharmacies not stocking the pills, pharmacy policies against dispensing ECPs, or a pharmacist unwilling to fill a prescription. “Since we know that increased use of ECPs could dramatically reduce the number of abortions in this state, we must work to remove these obstacles,” stated Rossi.
Four of the nine pharmacies surveyed do not stock or dispense ECPs:
Walmart Pharmacy (Valley Dr.) – Company policy does not allow dispensing of ECPs.
Kmart Pharmacy (El Paseo Rd.)– Did not have it in stock, but offered to order it.
Rede Pharmacy (Missouri Ave.) – Does not stock.
Rexall Pharmacy (N. Main) – Does not stock.
The only pharmacy that referred to a company or store policy against dispensing ECPs was Walmart.
In New Mexico, there is an option for pharmacists to take a training to receive Prescriptive Authority, which allows them to write prescriptions for ECPs. This provides a quicker turn around time for women since they do not need to visit a doctor to get a prescription.
“This is a wonderful option, but unfortunately only one of the pharmacies we surveyed has a pharmacist with Prescriptive Authority,” stated Rossi. That pharmacy is Walgreens on N. Main. Rossi explained that Sam’s Club offers ECPs without a prescription using a doctor’s protocol which allows their pharmacists to write prescriptions on the doctor’s behalf.
Of the nine pharmacies surveyed, five stock ECPs and two of them can dispense ECPs without a prescription.
In May 2004, President Bush’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected the recommendations of its own experts and denied an application to make ECPs available to women over the counter. The FDA has yet again delayed its decision whether to allow over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill, Plan B®. The FDA missed its January 20 deadline.
“If it were up to medical experts and scientists, the morning-after pill – which significantly reduces a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant after sex or sexual assault – would have been available without a prescription last year. But science doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to making policy on women’s reproductive health in the Bush Administration. Even worse, the Bush Administration is allowing Medicare to cover sexual enhancement drugs such as Viagra,” explained Rossi.
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The mission of NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico is to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion.
www.prochoicenewmexico.org
