NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2514
SPONSOR: McDonald TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law and the public health law, in relation
to authorizing pharmacists to administer injections for contraceptive
use
PURPOSE:
To authorize pharmacists to administer injections for contraceptive use.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 11 of section 6527 of the education law to
allow pharmacists to administer injections of United States Food and
Drug Administration (USFDA) approved injectable contraceptives.
Section 2 amends subdivision 9 of section 6801 of the education law to
authorize pharmacists to administer injectable contraception as a part
of their lawful scope of practice.
Section 3 adds a new subdivision 30 to section 6802 of the education law
to define United States Food and Drug Administration reversible prog-
est-in-only contraceptive injection.
Section 4 amends subdivision 11 to section 6909 of the education law to
allow a certified nurse practitioner to prescribe and order a non-pa-
tient specific regimen to a pharmacist located in the state who adminis-
ters injectable contraceptives.
Section 5 adds a new section 267-b to the public health law authorizing
the commissioner to establish a non-patient specific order for dispens-
ing and the administration of injectable contraceptives.
Section 6 provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Over 25,000 women throughout New York live in contraceptive deserts,
without access to a single clinic with the full range of contraceptives.
As a result, some women must cross county lines to receive the contra-
ceptive of their choice. With 60% of women of reproductive age currently
using a contraceptive method, it is clear that access to contraception
is a public health concern.
One such shot is the Depo-Provera injection that must be received every
three months. In New York, it must be given by your healthcare provider
rather than a pharmacist. This is an unnecessary barrier keeping women
from the contraception of their choice.
This bill would allow pharmacists to administer these injections, allow-
ing women to receive their hormonal injection at their local pharmacy.
Pharmacists must comply with current laws that require training, provid-
ing self-screening risk assessment questionnaires to patients along with
a fact sheet about the injection. Additionally, pharmacists will be
required to notify the patient's primary health care provider unless the
patient opts out of this notification.
Pharmacies are convenient locations for accessing birth control given
their prevalence in communities and their flexible hours. This legis-
lation improves access for marginalized communities of young people,
rural communities, and other individuals who have historically experi-
enced barriers to reproductive and contraceptive care.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A.8881/S.5635A
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it has become a law.
