NC H817

Licensed pharmacists may dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives (oral contraceptives, vaginal rings, patches, and other FDA-approved methods) under a statewide standing order issued by the State Health Director, without requiring a patient prescription.

Pharmacists must provide patients with a risk assessment questionnaire, review it for safety concerns, and refer patients to primary care providers if dispensing is deemed unsafe based on responses.

Pharmacists must maintain dispensing records, inform patients about proper administration and storage, potential side effects, and the need for alternative contraception methods, and provide written information as required by the statewide standing order.

Health insurance plans must cover self-administered hormonal contraceptives dispensed by pharmacists under this law with no deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments, except for high-deductible health savings account plans which may impose limited cost-sharing.

The State Health Director must issue a statewide standing order by October 1, 2021, including risk assessment protocols, and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy must maintain a website listing pharmacies offering this service; all provisions become effective October 1, 2021.