Threats to Birth Control Access

Fewer than half of the states in the country explicitly address the issue of refusals to provide medication to patients in the pharmacy. Eight states require pharmacists or pharmacies to ensure that that patients receive their medication. Seven states allow refusals but prohibit pharmacists from obstructing patient access to medication. Only five states permit refusals without critical protections for patients, such as requirements to refer or transfer prescriptions.

There have been increasing reports of pharmacists and pharmacies refusing to fill women’s prescriptions for birth control, including emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill” or EC).  These refusals are based on personal beliefs, not on legitimate medical or professional concerns.  The same pharmacists who refuse to dispense contraceptives often refuse to transfer a woman’s prescription to another pharmacist or to refer her to another pharmacy.  These refusals can have devastating consequences for women’s health.