SPONSOR: Dogan
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Emerging Issues by a vote of 13 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 0.
This bill allows a pharmacist to dispense self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to a patient who is 18 years old or older when the patient has a prescription from a health care practitioner. The prescription order for self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives shall have no expiration date.
The Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts must jointly promulgate rules that will require a pharmacist to complete training on dispensing oral contraceptives, to provide a self-screening risk assessment to a patient, to refer the patient to a health care practitioner, to provide the patient with a written record of the prescription, and to dispense the oral hormonal contraceptive as soon as practicable.
This bill is similar to HB 1410 (2020).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill empowers women and families to take control of their decisions. This bill is a first step in reducing barriers to those trying to access contraceptives, opening additional pathways to care.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Dogan; Arnie C. AC Dienoff; Missouri Nurses Association; Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes; Missouri Family Health Council; and Empower Missouri.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that there are concerns with a prescription under this bill having no expiration date.
Testifying against the bill were the Missouri State Medical Association and the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS).
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say prescription contraceptives are the most widely used form of contraceptives. Not being able to fill a prescription can interrupt a contraceptive schedule, leading to contraceptive failure and unwanted pregnancy.
Testifying on the bill were Pro Choice Missouri and Jillian Barnas, Most Policy Initiative. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: