New York State Assembly Passes EC Pharmacy Access Bill
On Monday, February 2, 2004, the New York State Assembly took action to expand access to emergency contraception and passed -- by a vote of 120-25 -- the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A.888). This legislation allows trained pharmacists and registered nurses (RNs) to dispense safe and effective emergency contraception (EC) from a non-patient specific order, written by either a licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner or licensed midwife. Such “behind-the-counter” access will greatly increase the availability of EC for women throughout New York State while awaiting over-the-counter approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Only the FDA, not state legislation, can make EC available over-the-counter.
Following is the statement of Kelli Conlin, Executive Director, NARAL Pro-Choice New York:
"By allowing women to obtain emergency contraception (EC) directly from a pharmacist or registered nurse we can immediately and substantially reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions. While we await the FDA Commissioner's approval of EC as an over the counter medication, the New York Assembly is showing the nation bipartisan support for making it easier for women to get this safe medication in a timely manner. If the FDA Commissioner allows politics to trump science and refuses to allow EC to go over the counter, it will be up to the Senate and Governor to follow the Assembly's lead and ensure New York's women can quickly and easily access EC"
“Emergency contraception is an idea whose time has come. The widespread use of EC could greatly reduce the estimated 160,000 abortions that occur annually in New York State and, according to a study conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller, could also save the State over $450 million in health care costs. Expanding access to EC through pharmacies not only makes medical sense, but fiscal sense – two points everyone can agree on.”
"When taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure or sexual assault, emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. The earlier a woman takes EC the more effective it is in reducing the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. An FDA-approved method of back-up birth control, EC should not be confused with RU-486 – it does not interrupt or harm an existing pregnancy and its use could prevent as many as 1.5 million of the 3 million unintended pregnancies that occur each year in the United States."
“By passing this important legislation, the Assembly will ensure that all women can access this safe and effective back-up birth control method in time to prevent unintended pregnancy. Our legislative champions, Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried and Speaker Sheldon Silver are to be commended for their leadership on this important public health issue.”
Click here to read NYS Assembly Press Release
Click here for Coverage of Albany Press Conference
Click here for more information on A.888
|
