OBSTETRICIANS and gynecologists in the US are calling for hormonal contraceptives to be made available without prescription through pharmacies.
In a statement issued on Tue the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, described prescriptions as "an unnecessary obstacle for some women to get their preferred contraceptive method".
"Over-the-counter (OTC) hormonal birth control would be a step toward greater access to an essential component of women's healthcare and give adolescents and women more options to manage their reproductive health," a spokesperson said.
"Each woman should be able to select the contraception that works best for her, including OTC hormonal contraceptives, a long-acting reversible contraceptive provided by her health care provider, or other methods."
Ohio-based specialist, Michelle Isley, said OTC access to contraceptives would lead to more consistent use.
"The need to consistently obtain a prescription, get a refill approval, or schedule an appointment can lead to inconsistent use of a preferred birth control method," she said.
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