Prescription Protection


Birth control is basic health care used by over 90% of women at some point in their lives. Yet, across the country and here in Wisconsin, pharmacists are refusing to fill birth control prescriptions at the pharmacy counter, putting their personal beliefs ahead of women's health. Prescription Protection will require that pharmacies always have someone on staff to dispense safe, legal birth control prescriptions to ensure that no woman is refused her birth control prescription at the pharmacy counter in Wisconsin again.
6/29/09 - Governor Doyle Signed State Budget & Prescription Protection into Law!
On June 29, Governor Doyle signed the state budget and the 3 prevention first initiatives into law: Prescription Protection, Contraceptive Equity, and expansion of the Family Planning Waiver!
The budget contains provisions to make sure no woman is ever abandoned at the pharmacy counter. Prescription Protection requires that all pharmacies have someone available during business hours to dispense safe, legal birth control prescriptions.

• Pharmacies must ensure that patients receive their birth control without discrimination or unnecessary delay.

• Given the barriers women face in accessing health care and the cost of unintended pregnancy on the state (each Medicaid birth costs $10,000 as compared to $300 for annual contraceptive drugs and supplies), we need to do everything we can to dismantle these obstacles and make sure women have access to the health care they need, including birth control.

• In Wisconsin, many women live in rural parts of the state where the next pharmacy may be miles away. It is unconscionable to expect a woman to drive all around the state just to access her doctor prescribed medication!

• Birth control is basic health care. Prescription birth control pills are often used not just to prevent pregnancy but to treat serious medical conditions like endometriosis and infertility.

• According to a 2007 Mellman poll, 84% of Wisconsin voters believe that pharmacies should ensure all women have access to birth control prescriptions.