Success for NARAL and EC: Board of Pharmacy Votes to Streamline Access to Emergency Contraception
PORTLAND, OR – Today, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy voted to support NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon’s position on Emergency Contraception (EC) access: that women must be provided with alternate methods of receiving EC if a pharmacist refuses to fill their prescription. The organization – which has been working on policies to promote reproductive rights in Oregon since 1977 – is responding to a challenging environment for women seeking contraception.
Oregon law allows pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions that challenge their personal religious beliefs. This refusal clause has been exercised by pharmacists throughout the state. NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon has been researching the issue of Emergency Contraception refusal and its consequences for the women of this state. The results are clear: women whose prescriptions for EC are refused by pharmacists are not regularly being provided with another option to receive the safe, effective pregnancy prevention tool.
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon called together a coalition of reproductive rights organizations to address this obstacle to women’s health care. While the coalition is not challenging a pharmacist’s right to exercise religious beliefs, it maintains that access to birth control should not be compromised as a result – alternative access must be made available in a timely manner. Since EC is most effective if taken within 24 hours, quick access is crucial.
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon collaborated with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, which recognizes the urgent need to help women prevent unintended pregnancy. Activists communicated their support of the move to the Board through hundreds of letters. As a result, the Board voted at its June 7th meeting to formally support seamless access to Emergency Contraception.
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon Executive Director Michele Stranger Hunter congratulates the Board on its decision: “I am so pleased that the Board of Pharmacy has made this decision in support of Oregon’s women. This important step will insure that the women of our state have access to a birth control method that is safe, effective and sensible. I am proud to have been part of this process, resulting in reproductive justice and individual freedom for all parties.”
Stranger Hunter goes on to thank Governor Ted Kulongoski, who has been steadfast in his support for the organization’s efforts to give women more control over their reproductive lives and health care. His vocal backing of the organization’s efforts is a strong statement of their importance and urgency. The Governor has publicly stated: "We know that women who are informed about, and have access to, emergency contraception are less likely to get pregnant - and working to prevent unintended pregnancies is something all of us, no matter our age, gender, or political party, should be able to support.” NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon will continue to collaborate with the Governor and allies to expand access to Emergency Contraception and other birth control methods.
Major advocates of the new policy in Oregon:
Northwest Women's Law Center, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette, Planned Parenthood Health Services of Southwestern Oregon and MergerWatch Project.
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