http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8AOQ7301-166.shtml
QUOTE
Governor signs emergency contraception bill
By KATHY McCORMACK
Thursday, June 16, 2005
CONCORD, N.H. Gov. John Lynch on Thursday signed a bill that would make emergency contraception _ better known as the "morning-after" pill _ available to women hoping to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Lynch, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, praised the bill's strong bipartisan effort. "It is just good common sense," he said of the measure, which is similar to one enacted a year ago in Maine.
The New Hampshire Legislature passed a similar bill last year, but then-Republican Gov. Craig Benson vetoed it.
The bill, which takes effect in 60 days, allows some pharmacists to provide women with an elevated dose of birth control hormones without a doctor's prescription. The drug, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can cut a woman's chance of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.
The drug prevents ovulation or fertilization and can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterus. Supporters call this contraception, but some religious leaders disagree.
Pharmacists would volunteer to take part in the program; they would receive special training before they could dispense the drug.
"We think there will be high participation by the pharmacists," said Rep. Sandra Keans, R-Rochester, who was a sponsor of the bill.
She said the Board of Pharmacy would organize training and a time frame for dispensing the drug.
Last year, a pharmacist in Laconia told a woman who tried to fill the prescription that he was morally opposed to the prescribing something that could end a life, the woman said. Another pharmacist eventually agreed to help her, but the prescription was filled after 72 hours.
The measure makes New Hampshire the seventh state to allow pharmacists to dispense the contraceptive without prescription, according to NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire. Maine was the only New England state with such a law.
"We're looking forward to the next steps, training pharmacists and providers, educating women about the pharmacy access option and continuing the work of expanding access to reproductive health care for New Hampshire women," said Liza Dube, the groupīs political director.
Some legislators tried, unsuccessfully to add an age limit of 18, arguing that pharmacists should not be giving medication to young girls without parental involvement. Others argued that the birth-control hormones could endanger some women's health and should not be given out without consulting a doctor.
But supporters of the bill argued the hormones have a long history of safe use and are far less of a health risk than unintended pregnancy.
By KATHY McCORMACK
Thursday, June 16, 2005
CONCORD, N.H. Gov. John Lynch on Thursday signed a bill that would make emergency contraception _ better known as the "morning-after" pill _ available to women hoping to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Lynch, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, praised the bill's strong bipartisan effort. "It is just good common sense," he said of the measure, which is similar to one enacted a year ago in Maine.
The New Hampshire Legislature passed a similar bill last year, but then-Republican Gov. Craig Benson vetoed it.
The bill, which takes effect in 60 days, allows some pharmacists to provide women with an elevated dose of birth control hormones without a doctor's prescription. The drug, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can cut a woman's chance of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.
The drug prevents ovulation or fertilization and can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterus. Supporters call this contraception, but some religious leaders disagree.
Pharmacists would volunteer to take part in the program; they would receive special training before they could dispense the drug.
"We think there will be high participation by the pharmacists," said Rep. Sandra Keans, R-Rochester, who was a sponsor of the bill.
She said the Board of Pharmacy would organize training and a time frame for dispensing the drug.
Last year, a pharmacist in Laconia told a woman who tried to fill the prescription that he was morally opposed to the prescribing something that could end a life, the woman said. Another pharmacist eventually agreed to help her, but the prescription was filled after 72 hours.
The measure makes New Hampshire the seventh state to allow pharmacists to dispense the contraceptive without prescription, according to NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire. Maine was the only New England state with such a law.
"We're looking forward to the next steps, training pharmacists and providers, educating women about the pharmacy access option and continuing the work of expanding access to reproductive health care for New Hampshire women," said Liza Dube, the groupīs political director.
Some legislators tried, unsuccessfully to add an age limit of 18, arguing that pharmacists should not be giving medication to young girls without parental involvement. Others argued that the birth-control hormones could endanger some women's health and should not be given out without consulting a doctor.
But supporters of the bill argued the hormones have a long history of safe use and are far less of a health risk than unintended pregnancy.