Indiana pharmacists soon will be able to prescribe birth control

Bill passes general assembly, goes to governor's desk

Indiana will soon permit pharmacists to prescribe birth control to its residents in an effort to curb unwanted pregnancies. 

After being stalled in a state senate committee, the general assembly passed a law that would permit that type of prescription. The bill’s supporters expect Gov. Eric Holcomb to sign it into law this week. 

Richard Feldman, a former Indiana state health commissioner, said it was important to do because there are areas of the state known as obstetrical deserts, where women don’t have access to reproductive care. He said the impetus of the bill was the ban on abortion now in place in the state. 

“Now, more than ever, it's more important to prevent these pregnant pregnancies rather than trying to address it after it occurs,” Feldman said. 

Indiana has a high infant and maternal mortality rate, so it was important to address the problems by preventing unwanted pregnancies. 

“I think we're the third worst in the country in maternal mortality. And we're one of the worst in infant mortality,” Feldman said. 

Twenty-four states have passed this type of legislation. It’s central to the reproductive rights movement’s efforts to expand options for women who want to control their fertility. 

“It's a very safe proposition,” Feldman said.