Law allowing over-the-counter birth control now in effect in New Jersey
Before pharmacists can actually sell birth control over the counter, they have to complete a four-hour training program.
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Pharmacies in New Jersey are now able to sell birth control over the counter. Gov. Phil Murphy signed off on the legislation last January and it went into effect on Monday.
The legislation means patients no longer need a prescription from a health care provider to get injectable birth control, pills, patches or rings. The governor called this an important step forward in protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to reproductive health care.
Before pharmacists can actually sell birth control over the counter, they have to complete a four-hour training program on patient screening, counseling and birth control selection. They also have to determine if the patient is eligible by following a process that includes completing a health screening questionnaire prepared by the Department of Health.
“As we witness an attack on reproductive freedom across the country, New Jersey will continue to be a safe haven for women to access the care they need,” Murphy wrote in a statement.
Qualified pharmacists can supply a patient for up to three months with refills for up to nine additional months.
There's no word yet on which pharmacies will offer over-the-counter birth control or when.
