The American Society for Emergency Contraception was cited by the Associated Press in a story that stated that at least 39 institutions in 17 states had installed vending machines containing the morning-after-pill, with at least 20 additional locations reportedly exploring them.
“These machines are a part of an effort among colleges to make emergency contraception affordable, covert, and widely accessible,” according to the news report, “which notes that some states have passed abortion restrictions, while others have strengthened safeguards and increased access to birth control.”
This year, Washington made history by being the first state to allocate money ($200,000 to supply $10,000 grants) to public institutions so that they might “broaden the availability of emergency contraceptives through automatic dispensers,” according to the study.
“The machine at the University of Washington was put in place following a campaign run by students. In all, over 640 boxes of the generic Plan B have already been sold, and it sells boxes for $12.60, or approximately a fourth of what the name-brand ones cost in shops. When compared to UW’s machines, others provide the medication for as little as $7 per box. This is due to the fact that it is offered at a price that is slightly higher wholesale compared to pharmacy retail costs, which might reach $50.”
Legislators in Illinois and New York are drafting legislation that would mandate the installation of emergency contraception vending machines on state college campuses. A morning-after pill along with other over-the-counter drugs can now be purchased from vending machines that are being placed on college campuses and in other public places according to a law that Connecticut lawmakers enacted this year.
“There is a stigma attached to obtaining these prescriptions,” according to Zoe Amaris, who is a board member of the UW Pharmacists for Sexual Health and a student of pharmacy at the University of Washington. This stigma is lessened by the presence of vending machines.
“You are not required to visit a drugstore. You don’t have to go via your doctor,” according to Amaris.
Unbelievable!! What a RUSH straight into HELL!!!!