New Hampshire House Votes to Expand Access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills
CONCORD – Today the New Hampshire House passed SB 484, a bill that would establish a collaborative practice for Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs). The collaborative practice would enable pharmacists to voluntarily partner with licensed prescribers to dispense ECPs directly from the pharmacy. NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire Executive Director Laura Thibault applauded the vote, "collaborative therapy agreements have been very successful in expanding access to emergency contraceptive pills in other states. We applaud legislators who recognize the promise of emergency contraceptive pills to reduce unintended pregnancy and voted today to expand access to this important contraceptive option".
In 1997, Washington State became the first state to adopt a collaborative therapy program, and in the first ten months, over seven thousand women obtained ECPs. In the wake of Washington State’s success, five other states, including Maine have adopted similar programs. Used since the 1970’s, ECPs utilize the same hormones found in ordinary birth control pills to keep an egg from being released, fertilized, or implanted in a woman’s uterus. ECPs are currently available with a prescription and can be taken in the case of contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault to prevent unintended pregnancy. ECPs should not be confused with RU-486 or mifepristone, an early abortion option. Thibault added, "Because ECPs are most effective when taken within 24 hours of intercourse, it is imperative to remove barriers to access. Medical offices may be closed on weekends, and women in rural areas may have to travel great distances to the nearest health care provider. SB 484 is a safe, sensible way for New Hampshire to expand women’s access to ECPs and help prevent unintended pregnancy."
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