New York Authorizes Over-the-Counter Birth Control

State health officials sign order to facilitate access, reinforcing New York's commitment to reproductive rights.

Contraceptives, including oral pills, vaginal rings, and patches, will be available without a prescription in New York pharmacies.
The measure is part of Governor Kathy Hochul's broader initiative to support reproductive freedoms amidst national restrictions.
Pharmacists will provide up to a 12-month supply after completing a state-developed training and a self-screening by the patient.
The move follows the FDA's approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, in the U.S. last July.
More than 25 states, including California and Minnesota, already permit pharmacists to offer contraceptive care without a prescription.