that would be awesome.
i wish BC was over the counter in the US already.

that would be awesome.
i wish BC was over the counter in the US already.

A pretty good idea, possibly... It'll be interesting to see more discussion of this.

TMI about England's assessment process at pharmacies... I lived in England and have frequent yeast infections that can only be treated with 7 day cream. When I was in England 7 day was not available, only 3 day. So I had to use two. The cream is available without a prescription, but you have to talk to a pharmacist in order to make a purchase. So during the months that I had an issue I had to go to two separate pharmacies and convince two separate pharmacists that I was
1. certain it was yeast, and
2. knew how to use the medicine.

Given that I was already in an uncomfortable state, this was a huge imposition. It also felt paternalistic. I should have been able to walk into Boots and clear the shelves of yeast cream if I wanted to, and the requirement that a pharmacist approve my treatment was humiliating, annoying, and patronizing.

/TMI

Extrapolating my yeast experience to birth control... do we really want pharmacists functioning as gatekeepers for birth control, given the issues that are already arising with pharmacists refusing to provide prescriptions based upon their personal beliefs? It might be an issue.

Oh, great. More potential victims with which the parasites...uh, I mean lawyers, can prey and enrich themselves.

Remove the financial & legal liability from the pharmacists and drug companies or the prescriptions will dry up real quick out of fear for repercussions.

Or maybe the UK is not a civil lawsuit wild west, like here in the states.

Oh, great. More potential victims with which the parasites...uh, I mean lawyers, can prey and enrich themselves.

Remove the financial & legal liability from the pharmacists and drug companies or the prescriptions will dry up real quick out of fear for repercussions.

Or maybe the UK is not a civil lawsuit wild west, like here in the states.

It seems to me that this is only adding an option, and thus increasing access.

If you could ONLY get bc through a pharmacist, that would be another story.

As an aside, the bc situation in the US is infuriating - in DC, I spent $50 per pack! Now THAT is horrible access.

It seems to me that this is only adding an option, and thus increasing access.

If you could ONLY get bc through a pharmacist, that would be another story.

As an aside, the bc situation in the US is infuriating - in DC, I spent $50 per pack! Now THAT is horrible access.

I wonder if UK women will be faced with a price increase if BC eventually becomes totally OTC. In trying to research Plan B price jumps, I've seen frequent mention of the move to OTC.

It seems to me that this is only adding an option, and thus increasing access.

If you could ONLY get bc through a pharmacist, that would be another story.

As an aside, the bc situation in the US is infuriating - in DC, I spent $50 per pack! Now THAT is horrible access.

I think it sounds pretty cool -- as long as you can have the same sorts of consultations with the pharmacist about risks, smoking, side effects, etc. My worry: the only reason I ever remember to go in to get my yearly pelvic is that I run out of BC refills. If this problem isn't just a silly-me thing, it could mean that women aren't getting the pap they need every year.

More TMI (and OT): sgzax -- maybe you've heard of every cure in the world for your yeast problem, but have you tried a good strong daily probiotic? I went from once-a-month infections to maybe once a year, always coinciding with taking antibiotics. If you haven't tried it and want more info, let me know.

locomotivebreath1901: Lay off the lawyers. Being one myself, I know that for every bloodsucker out there taking advantage of clients and the system, there's another one who is advocating for women's rights, the indigent, the falsely accused, etc, and yes, suing doctors on behalf of people who were seriously harmed. I agree that some states need to reform their tort law, but removing all liability for pharmicists and doctors would leave patients who are harmed by the occasional bad pharmacist or doctor completely without protection. Every profession has its good and its bad members - there's a balance out there somewhere, I'm sure.

Having said that, I have great insurance and still have to pay $35/month for my BC because it's not considered a "preferred" brand and no generic exists yet. I agree with Ruby that unless prices come down, access will continue to be impeded by the price.

"the only reason I ever remember to go in to get my yearly pelvic is that I run out of BC refills"

I always hated how my BC felt held hostage to me going to the yearly exam... wait I still dislike this.

*Delurks.* I am a relatively new feminist - or, at least, I have only labeled myself as one for a little while.(Hugo recruited me when I took his Women's Studies class in the spring of 2006). I am still learning a lot about feminist theory, how it applies to Generation Y, etc. The more I read Feministing and other feminist blogs, the more I realize how feminist I truly am. It's a learning experience. :-)

Anyway, I also wanted to comment about the birth control issue. I never realized how easy it was for me to obtain a perscription for birth control. I live in a relatively progressive area (Los Angeles) and my dad has excellent health care. However, after I read your post, I was reminded that a lot of women have trouble getting birth control -- and this should stop! I am totally with England on this one.

-Mermade

*Delurks.* I am a relatively new feminist - or, at least, I have only labeled myself as one for a little while.(Hugo recruited me when I took his Women's Studies class in the spring of 2006). I am still learning a lot about feminist theory, how it applies to Generation Y, etc. The more I read Feministing and other feminist blogs, the more I realize how feminist I truly am. It's a learning experience. :-)

Anyway, I also wanted to comment about the birth control issue. I never realized how easy it was for me to obtain a perscription for birth control. I live in a relatively progressive area (Los Angeles) and my dad has excellent health care. However, after I read your post, I was reminded that a lot of women have trouble getting birth control -- and this should stop! I am totally with England on this one.

-Mermade

*Delurks.* I am a relatively new feminist - or, at least, I have only labeled myself as one for a little while. (Hugo Schwyzer recruited me when I took his Women's Studies class in the spring of 2006). I am still learning a lot about feminist theory, how it applies to Generation Y, etc. The more I read Feministing and other feminist blogs, the more I realize how feminist I truly am. It's a learning experience.

I also wanted to comment about the birth control issue. I never realized how easy it was for me to obtain a prescription for birth control. I live in a relatively progressive area (Los Angeles) and my dad has excellent health care. However, after I read your post, I was reminded that a lot of women have trouble getting birth control -- and this should stop! I am totally with England on this one.

-Mermade

The only issue I have with this is that women won't be going in for their yearly Pap. For many women (including most of my friends) this is the only regular checkup they have every year and the only real chance they get to discuss things with a doctor. I don't think a pharmacist is qualified to determine what kind of (or even if) BC would be right for each woman. The only way I would support this is that the initial prescription would have to come from a doctor.

AHH! Sorry about that! It's my first time commenting here. I am sorry about posting that three times.

I am all for more access to birth control. It should be free! However, I think it's important for women to be in the care of a doctor when taking any perscription.

I was a counselor in an abortion clinic and the doctor at the clinic (obviously pro choice) was having a fit that plan B was going over the counter. She said that the medicine in birth control can be very, very dangerous to women who are not supposed to be taking it-- i.e. those over 35, those who smoke, those with vascular damage or heart problems of any kind. it raises your blood pressure and can cause a heart attack.

now, of course many women don't have insurance or the money to go to the doctor-- that is a problem with the health care system in general which stands in the way of proper care for low income people, regardless of gender but especially women. It's also hard to swallow that men can walk on the moon but women still don't have adequate and safe birth control (i.e. pills that don't have such a risk of heart attack.) However, i would hate to see women being able to access BC over the counter, then having major complications because they didn't realize they were at risk.

I am all for more access to birth control. It should be free! However, I think it's important for women to be in the care of a doctor when taking any perscription.

I was a counselor in an abortion clinic and the doctor at the clinic (obviously pro choice) was having a fit that plan B was going over the counter. She said that the medicine in birth control can be very, very dangerous to women who are not supposed to be taking it-- i.e. those over 35, those who smoke, those with vascular damage or heart problems of any kind. it raises your blood pressure and can cause a heart attack.

now, of course many women don't have insurance or the money to go to the doctor-- that is a problem with the health care system in general which stands in the way of proper care for low income people, regardless of gender but especially women. It's also hard to swallow that men can walk on the moon but women still don't have adequate and safe birth control (i.e. pills that don't have such a risk of heart attack.) However, i would hate to see women being able to access BC over the counter, then having major complications because they didn't realize they were at risk.

I am all for more access to birth control. It should be free! However, I think it's important for women to be in the care of a doctor when taking any prescription.

I was a counselor in an abortion clinic and the doctor at the clinic (obviously pro choice) was having a fit that plan B was going over the counter. She said that the medicine in birth control can be very, very dangerous to women who are not supposed to be taking it-- i.e. those over 35, those who smoke, those with vascular damage or heart problems of any kind. it raises your blood pressure and can cause a heart attack.

now, of course many women don't have insurance or the money to go to the doctor-- that is a problem with the health care system in general which stands in the way of proper care for low income people, regardless of gender but especially women. It's also hard to swallow that men can walk on the moon but women still don't have adequate and safe birth control (i.e. pills that don't have such a risk of heart attack.) However, i would hate to see women being able to access BC over the counter, then having major complications because they didn't realize they were at risk.

My worry: the only reason I ever remember to go in to get my yearly pelvic is that I run out of BC refills. If this problem isn't just a silly-me thing, it could mean that women aren't getting the pap they need every year.

and

The only issue I have with this is that women won't be going in for their yearly Pap.

I share the concern about this, and I think someone else touches on it in being held ransom for BC pills.

When I was younger (probably up until my lower-to-mid 20s), this was the ONLY reason I went for my yearly.

I had no idea, really, what pelvics or paps checked for other than general "abnormality," and even then, I had no idea what that "abnormality" might mean (often times CANCER, which I was diagnosed with at 26.)

The sad state of the US is that we are not open about sexuality or sexual education. I think pap smears and the importance of them have finally started being discussed more openly due to the HPV vaccine.

I just really have mixed feelings about this. I know that, on the one hand, so many women (that I know) don't get on BC even though they want to b/c they don't want to deal with having a yearly exam, and are too embarrassed/ashamed /don't like the idea of someone looking at their cooter. I am talking GROWN ASS WOMEN in their 40s, as well as teens and young women.

I would be for OTC or even consulting with a pharmacist if I felt like society in general did a really really really good job about being open about sexual health by pounding the "get your yearly pap smear and pelvic, seriously, doctor's do not judge you and don't care what it looks like" into the brain.

I am all for more access to birth control. It should be free! However, I think it's important for women to be in the care of a doctor when taking any prescription.

I was a counselor in an abortion clinic and the doctor at the clinic (obviously pro choice) was having a fit that plan B was going over the counter. She said that the medicine in birth control (the same as that in plan B) can be very, very dangerous to women who are not supposed to be taking it-- i.e. those over 35, those who smoke, those with vascular damage or heart problems of any kind. it raises your blood pressure and can cause a heart attack.

now, of course many women don't have insurance or the money to go to the doctor-- that is a problem with the health care system in general which stands in the way of proper care for low income people, regardless of gender but especially women. It's also hard to swallow that men can walk on the moon but women still don't have adequate and safe birth control (i.e. pills that don't have such a risk of heart attack.) However, i would hate to see women being able to access BC over the counter, only to have major complications because they didn't realize they were at risk.

Mermade, I think something is up with the site, it always gives me an error when I post for the past week or so (but the post goes up anyway so I reload later). Site admins: please fix!! (Maybe you already are sorry if someone already mentioned this).

Anyway I think it is very important for women to get their pap and I don't skip mine (ok maybe I get it every 14-15 months...), but I don't think that implying to women "if you are having sex you must get the pap or you don't get the pills!" is quite... right... Trust Women, right? None of my dad's friends lecture him on only going to the Dr. every 5 years.

Oh and I just looked at my 'script ordering thing online and the damn stuff (Seasonique) would cost 140/91 day supply. WTF? How hard is it to make this stuff that it costs that much!!! And allergy medicine is $200/90 days!!!

Ye gods, why don't we have some sensible universal plan for this shit to prevent the overcharging.

*sorry for rambling, but so many things are just... gah!

OTC should be standard. If people (like me) want to risk cancer rather than submit to spreading their legs for a paternalistic medical industry, they should have that CHOICE. Remember choice? It goes beyond getting access to health care to refusing it too.

Holding pills hostage to a pelvic exam and pap is metaphoric medical rape.

I think I'd rather see better access to good quality affordable medical care rather than OTC BCPs.

During one visit to get screened for birth control pills, I expressed an interest in going on the pills nonstop because of unbearable periods. The nurse promptly said "Honey, periods like that aren't normal. You need to get checked out."

Lo and behold, I got checked out and I it turned out that I have Endometriosis, a condition that causes pelvic pain and infertility and can be aggravated by estrogen supplementation--you know, like they put in most birth control pills?

Birth control pills are nifty things and are a wonderful tool for health and empowerment, but they're not exactly the medical equivalent of tictacs.

I think I'd rather see better access to good quality affordable medical care rather than OTC BCPs.

During one visit to get screened for birth control pills, I expressed an interest in going on the pills nonstop because of unbearable periods. The nurse promptly said "Honey, periods like that aren't normal. You need to get checked out."

Lo and behold, I got checked out and I it turned out that I have Endometriosis, a condition that causes pelvic pain and infertility and can be aggravated by estrogen supplementation--you know, like they put in most birth control pills?

Birth control pills are nifty things and are a wonderful tool for health and empowerment, but they're not exactly the medical equivalent of tictacs.

Exactly geeky. Your example about no-one reminding your dad to go to the Dr is much more reasoned than my outburst, but I do resent the overmedicalizing and infantalizing of women in our culture.

Just to clarify; there's no issue with a price rise here. While a lot of people in the UK do pay a standard charge of £6.85 per item on a prescription, contraceptives are completely free. People in Wales do not pay prescription charges and they're about to be phased out in Scotland.

The title of this post is a little misleading--it's not really over the counter if they have to see a nurse, is it?
And while I'm all for increased access to birth control, I'm against it ever being truly over the counter. If you have high blood pressure or other health problems it can be dangerous.

"Holding pills hostage to a pelvic exam and pap is metaphoric medical rape."

I'm sorry, but that is just ridiculous. Some female cancers are estrogen receptive, which means that if you have breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer your pills can make it worse. So by getting those exams, you are making sure it's safe to have the pills in the first place.
That said, we have a consultation in our clinic that allows you to get pills with out an exam, but you have to be getting the exam at least every couple of years or so and you can't have had any lumps or problems.

Should the government set a limit on what can be charged for a medicine, birth control or anything else? Just what is "overcharging"?

If you don't want the medical solution, don't buy it. You might be just as safe and save money by counting days and using condoms, and then Plan B when a condom breaks.

Birth control pills are nifty things and are a wonderful tool for health and empowerment, but they're not exactly the medical equivalent of tictacs.

Excellent point. Just because they're safe for most folks when used as directed doesn't mean they're safe enough without some medical gatekeeping.

I lived in the UK for 2 years. Getting BC seemed Really easy. It's FREE to go to the docter who you tell you want BC. He says, OK. you go to the pharmacy with your prescription and they hand you BC without you paying anything.

I guess that this would clear up doctors time for other issues, but it was so easy to begin with I don't know how this will affect public usage.

I lived in the UK for 2 years. Getting BC seemed Really easy. It's FREE to go to the docter who you tell you want BC. He says, OK. you go to the pharmacy with your prescription and they hand you BC without you paying anything.

I guess that this would clear up doctors time for other issues, but it was so easy to begin with I don't know how this will affect public usage.

I love the plans. I work at a pharmacy and we get a couple of people each day asking for the morning after pill. We arrange for them to have a talk with the pharmacist, they fill out forms and their suitability for EC is determined, and the new plans will have the same happen for the contraceptive pill. People requesting it will have their blood pressure taken, questions about their family health history will be asked and the relevant forms will be filled out - it'll just be easier to see someone because no appointment is required.
Of course, there are the objectors - one person said that they 'might as well put the pills in jars and hand them out at schools' because pharmacists will be able to give the pill to underage girls without parental permission if they think they are responsible enough to use them, at minimum risk of developing side-effects and (perhaps) unable to use other forms of contraception - in other words, pharmacist's discretion. Which is in a similar vein to saying the HPV vaccine will make people promiscuous - if the girls are already having sex, then withholding the pill won't exactly stop them, will it?

I love the plans. I work at a pharmacy and we get a couple of people each day asking for the morning after pill. We arrange for them to have a talk with the pharmacist, they fill out forms and their suitability for EC is determined, and the new plans will have the same happen for the contraceptive pill. People requesting it will have their blood pressure taken, questions about their family health history will be asked and the relevant forms will be filled out - it'll just be easier to see someone because no appointment is required.
Of course, there are the objectors - one person said that they 'might as well put the pills in jars and hand them out at schools' because pharmacists will be able to give the pill to underage girls without parental permission if they think they are responsible enough to use them, at minimum risk of developing side-effects and (perhaps) unable to use other forms of contraception - in other words, pharmacist's discretion. Which is in a similar vein to saying the HPV vaccine will make people promiscuous - if the girls are already having sex, then withholding the pill won't exactly stop them, will it?

"So by getting those exams, you are making sure it's safe to have the pills in the first place."
Theoretically: BC becomes OTC. Painkillers, some allergy medicine, fever reducers, etc are also all OTC. BC may kill me with cancer if I don't know any better and don't get my checkups. Tylenol may kill me if I don't know that taking tylenol and having alcohol could annihilate my liver.
A nice reminder "please always get your yearly exam, these pills may cause reactions in your body such as 1, 2, 3, and cancer. Should not be used by smokers as can cause heart attacks" would work. This is not a "medicine" for a "disease" like penicillan, it's an anti-fertility treatment.

So warnings kind of like the MAOI inhibitor warnings and the "do not operate heavy machinery or drive" warnings would be in order. But I don't think women need protection from themselves. I trust women to read the label, to ask the pharmacy questions, and to attempt to act in their own best interest. Please don't protect me from myself.

Verite,

Just because it makes you uncomfortable to admit that not everyone wants to admit a speculum or an MD's hand into their vagina and trade that unwanted access to their body for a medication to prevent pregnancy, does not make it "ridiculous."

You ignore that I UNDERSTAND the contraindications of BC. I'm with geeky (again). Don't patronize me.

Maybe it's not invasive or problematic that it's coercive to you but it is to me.

I see from rereading your comment that you're in the medical business. It's hard to examine your assumptions when it's that close.

Verite:
In my experience, holding my pills hostage to a pelvic exam felt like REAL rape, not just metaphoric. I was just 18 when I got my prescription this summer. I told my gynecologist that I had never been sexually active, and I have extremely low blood pressure, and I’d get checked for cancer another time when I felt more comfortable, because I hadn’t known a pelvic test/pap smear would be expected and I wasn’t psychologically prepared. She made me have the pelvic exam anyway. She said she’d stop if I said it hurt, and it did hurt, she stretched out my hymen and it hurt a lot, and I said so, but she didn’t stop, os eventually I stopped telling her to, and afterwards I couldn’t stop crying. I almost got in an accident three times driving home because I was crying so hard. I’ve never felt more violated in my life.
I should have had the option of saying no. Or rather, when I said no, it should have meant no. It is flat-out wrong that women are forced to get exams for their birth control pills.

I live in the US and get my birth control prescription from a nurse -- well, certified nurse midwife, but she's considered a nurse for purposes of prescription. I've never needed an obgyn to be involved in signing off on it or examining me. I have had the pelvic exam and pap smear each time, though.

@Eloraine -- that's horrible, and I'd recommend changing doctors and explaining to the former one exactly why you are doing so. No doctor should ignore physical pain in their patients; I'll admit pap smears aren't the most comfortable procedure, but they shouldn't hurt THAT much.