Emergency contraception, without the doctor's prescription

February 25, 1998
Web posted at: 10:37 p.m. EST (0337 GMT)

(CNN) -- Washington state is giving pharmacists the unusual authority to dispense emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription.

Emergency contraception, also known as the "morning after pill," is actually a combination of two, three or four birth control pills taken at one time within three days of unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy.

Washington is giving pharmacists the authority to dispense emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription because most doctors aren't available seven days a week.

"We know what the pills are going to do. We're not testing medication," said Elwin Blair, a pharmacist at Fairwood Pharmacy. "... It's a safe drug."

The state is one of 12 with a prescriptive authority law, which makes it possible for doctors to delegate to pharmacists the prescribing of certain drugs.

"Emergency contraception doesn't necessarily require any medical follow-up. At the time that the medication is given to the patient, instructions can be given to her about what to expect," said Dr. Constance Brumm, a family physician.

Pharmacists advise women that emergency contraception doesn't always work. It is 75 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

If it were widely used, emergency contraception could cut the abortion rate in half. However, it is not without some controversy.

Some pharmacists are unwilling to dispense it because they believe it causes abortion, but researchers say emergency contraception will not harm the fetus if a woman is already pregnant.

"A number (who) come into that with some hesitation or concerns are quite reassured when they learn the pill works primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation and not by interrupting an established pregnancy," said Dr. Gordon Perkin of the Program for Appropriate Technology and Health.

Medical Correspondent Rhonda Rowland contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Researchers testing new contraceptive ring - February 22, 1998
• Unplanned pregnancy rate drops in U.S. - January 18, 1998
• FDA panel endorses 'morning after' pill - June 29, 1996
• New research on a 'male pill' shows promise - June 13, 1996
• New male contraceptive found 99 percent effective - April 2, 1996

Related sites:

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• Emergency Contraception web site - sponsored by Princeton University
• Planned Parenthood

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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