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Committee adopts interim study to examine allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control to adults
Summary
Senator Brianne Davis presented and the committee adopted an interim study (2019-159) to explore allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control to people aged 18 and over, with a requirement that patients see a physician within six months; legislators asked about liability, pharmacist training and state data on unwanted pregnancies.
Senator Brianne Davis presented interim study proposal 2019-159 asking the committee to study allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control to adults over 18, subject to follow-up with a primary care physician or gynecologist within six months. Davis cited policy examples from California, Colorado, Maryland, Oregon and Washington and cited Arkansas statistics from 2014, which she said showed nearly 18,000 unwanted pregnancies and a high birth rate for 18–19-year-olds (72.4 per 1,000 compared with a U.S. average of 40.7 per 1,000).
Senator Hammer and other committee members questioned liability allocation if medical issues arise related to pharmacist‑prescribed contraception; Davis said pharmacists would receive training and that oversight would fall under the state board of pharmacy, and she recommended the liability question be examined in the study. Hammer said he wanted to know whether liability would fall on pharmacists or on the primary-care provider and what the impact would be on pharmacy liability insurance costs.
After discussion, a motion to adopt the interim study was made and seconded; the committee approved it by voice vote ('Aye') and the motion carried. The transcript records the motion to adopt and the committee's voice vote approving the interim study. Representative Love seconded the motion.
