Statement of Laura Thibault Regarding SB484; establishing the Collaborative Practice for Emergency Contraception Act
3/2/04
CONCORD – Today the Senate Public Institutions and Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony regarding a bill that would establish a collaborative therapy practice for Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs), increasing New Hampshire women’s access to an important contraceptive option. Collaborative therapy agreements allow pharmacists to voluntarily partner with licensed prescribers to dispense ECPs directly from the pharmacy. In 1997, Washington State became the first state to adopt this program, and in the first ten months, over seven thousand women obtained ECPs. ECPs do not cause abortion, instead they work just like ordinary birth control pills to prevent pregnancy when taken within five days of intercourse. “ECPs are safe, effective and one of the most promising avenues for reducing unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion. It is imperative to remove barriers to ECP access, because the pills are most effective when taken within 24 hours of intercourse" said Laura Thibault, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire. “Reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion is a goal that is shared by people on both sides of the abortion debate and one that we should all work together to achieve”, said Thibault.
| 
