New North Carolina Law Allows Pharmacists to Dispense Birth Control, HIV Prophylaxis

A new North Carolina bill, signed into law last August by the governor Roy Cooper and fully going into effect February 1, 2022, broadens what pharmacists are allowed to do in the state.

House Bill 96 expands pharmacists’ immunizing ability, but more importantly, it allows immunizing pharmacists (those who meet certain criteria including CPR training, a vaccine administration certificate program, and continuing education) to dispense oral or transdermal contraceptives, nicotine replacement therapy, pre-exposure prophylaxis medication for the prevention of HIV, glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia, and prenatal vitamins.

North Carolina joins about a dozen other states in allowing pharmacists to dispense birth control without a prescription. Note that the state does not compel pharmacists to do this—pharmacies have to make their own decisions about whether they can and want to provide such services.

Under the new law, pharmacists who dispense hormonal birth control must counsel the patient about preventive care, including well-woman visits, sexually transmitted disease testing information, and Pap smear testing, and must notify the patient’s primary care provider within 72 hours of dispensing the medication. If the patient does not have a primary care provider, the pharmacist should provide information and counsel the patient on the benefits of having one.

Although the law has taken effect, it will not be implemented until the State Health Director issues a standing order including any specific training required for pharmacists, as well as protocols for initiating, modifying, and discontinuing each therapeutic class of medication.