Emergency Contraception

PHARMACY ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC)

Massachusetts explicity allows pharmacists to provide emergency contraception (EC) directly to women without a prescription.  A pharmacist may dispense EC to a woman in accordance with procedures developed by a practicing physician. 

All pharmacists dispensing EC must first complete an EC training program approved by the Commissioner of Public Health.

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 94C, § 19A (Enacted 2005). 

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC) FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS

Massachusetts law ensures that sexual assault victims receive access to emergency contraception (EC) in hospital emergency rooms.  As part of the minimum standards for the examination and treatment of a sexual assault victim, a physician or other health care provider must provide a sexual assault victim with medically and factually accurate written information about EC, offer her EC, and dispense EC to her upon request.

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 41, § 97B (Original Statute Enacted 1974; last amended 2005); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 111, § 70E (Original Statute Enacted 1979; last amended 2005).