Spring Break
Health Center offers Plan B OTC
Gentry Lassiter
Issue date: 3/26/07 Section: News
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Plan B is effective in preventing unplanned pregnancy, but could create problems with regard to sexually transmitted diseases, Terry said.
"The lack of counseling that was once done during the prescription process will no longer be available," Terry said. There is a substantial amount of literature informing users of Plan B that it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, but without the information doctors provide to patients on a personal basis, there could be miscommunication, she said.
"I think you should still have to see a doctor to get [Plan B]," said Kacey Hunt, a UA junior studying pharmacy. There might be some cases in which it would be proper to administer the pill without a doctor's order, but for the most part doctors should be involved, she said.
The UA Health Center also announced the prices of other birth-control products in the announcement. All prescription birth control products cost $20, except for the brands Yasmin and NuvaRing, which cost $40. Health center officials urged females to consult the Women's Clinic if they decide to change birth control.
Some pharmacists might be reluctant to sell such a drug because of its chemical effect and that state lawmakers should work to pass a "conscience clause" that would prevent health professionals from having to choose between their careers and their beliefs, said Matt Sande, legislative director for Pro-Life Wisconsin, in the Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News article.
Despite that Plan B is now legal for over the counter sale, some pharmacies still refuse to dispense it to women that way. A Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News article by Misti Crane gave an example of such an incident at Wal-Mart in Ohio.
When the pharmacy attendant asked pharmacist Brent Beams about it, "He shook his head and laughed," said Tashina Byrd, a woman who wanted to purchase Plan B, in the article.
"The lack of counseling that was once done during the prescription process will no longer be available," Terry said. There is a substantial amount of literature informing users of Plan B that it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, but without the information doctors provide to patients on a personal basis, there could be miscommunication, she said.
"I think you should still have to see a doctor to get [Plan B]," said Kacey Hunt, a UA junior studying pharmacy. There might be some cases in which it would be proper to administer the pill without a doctor's order, but for the most part doctors should be involved, she said.
The UA Health Center also announced the prices of other birth-control products in the announcement. All prescription birth control products cost $20, except for the brands Yasmin and NuvaRing, which cost $40. Health center officials urged females to consult the Women's Clinic if they decide to change birth control.
Some pharmacists might be reluctant to sell such a drug because of its chemical effect and that state lawmakers should work to pass a "conscience clause" that would prevent health professionals from having to choose between their careers and their beliefs, said Matt Sande, legislative director for Pro-Life Wisconsin, in the Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News article.
Despite that Plan B is now legal for over the counter sale, some pharmacies still refuse to dispense it to women that way. A Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News article by Misti Crane gave an example of such an incident at Wal-Mart in Ohio.
When the pharmacy attendant asked pharmacist Brent Beams about it, "He shook his head and laughed," said Tashina Byrd, a woman who wanted to purchase Plan B, in the article.
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