Emergency Contraception in New Mexico
The staff and volunteers at NARAL Pro-Choice NM worked from a list of Emergency Contraception (EC) providers in the state to get information about the availability of EC at clinics and pharmacies throughout New Mexico.
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Pharmacy/clinic hours, the number of health practitioners on staff who are able to prescribe and dispense EC and the street address and zip code are included. It is wise to call ahead regarding the availability of emergency contraception at the clinic/pharmacy in your area. Some clinics like Planned Parenthood allow walk-ins while others prefer an appointment. Also some clinics only service certain portions of the population, like women under age 20.
Did you know…
Emergency contraception has tremendous potential for reducing unintended pregnancies. Emergency contraception pills (ECPs) are ordinary birth control pills that prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, or implantation before a pregnancy occurs. ECP use was likely responsible for up to 43% of the decline in the number of abortions in the US between 1994 and 2000 – with ECP use preventing over 50,000 abortions in 2000 alone. Nationwide there are many barriers to access and it can be difficult for women to obtain ECPs within the time needed for effective use. Although ECPs are typically available by prescription only, New Mexico is one of six states – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico and Washington – that expressly allow pharmacists to provide EC without a prescription. Allowing pharmacists to provide EC directly to women is a critical means of improving access. New Mexico is also one of four states – California, New Mexico, New York and Washington – to enact explicit “EC in the ER” laws that ensure that sexual assault victims receive access to EC in hospitals. Improving access to EC will give women greater control over their reproductive lives and will thereby improve the health and well-being of women and their families. For a lot more information about emergency contraception refer to the NARAL Pro-Choice America web page,or the ECweb page
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