Late last year a law was passed allowing emergency contraception - the morning after pill - to be available over the counter without a prescription to women over 18 years old, a decision that has been a revolution in female reproductive health according to campus medical officials.
Female students on campus can now go to Michael Hall during pharmacy hours without an appointment for emergency contraception for $25, a fee significantly less than the $40 charged by off-campus pharmacies.
Melissa Mitravich, a family nurse practitioner for Planned Parenthood of Western New York, is no stranger to the conflict that the FDA approved, over the counter drug has caused. Despite the availability of EC, a pharmacist conscience clause, an addendum to some state laws and corporate policies, holds that pharmacists may refuse to dispense medications based on their own moral and religious beliefs.
"Some of my patients have been refused EC at the pharmacy. It's not just a problem elsewhere but in Western New York too," she said. "According to several people I've talked to, pharmacists have a right to not fill certain medications."
Legislation for and against pharmacists holding the power to refuse filling medications is currently at a stand still in New York State.
Natasha Pasternack, a freshman film studies major, worked for Planned Parenthood last summer.
"I'm glad it's finally available over the counter but I think it's a travesty that pharmacists can refuse it," Pasternack said. "Babies aren't a disease but you should be able to stop something that could ruin your life."
According to Mitravich, some pharmacies are making efforts to protect the consumer.
"Many stores are catching on and making it part of their corporate policy, requiring pharmacists to sign a statement agreeing to dispense all medications. If they don't sign, I assume they won't work there," Mitravich said.
Much of the controversy lies in the definition of emergency contraception. It is a preventative medicine to some and a death sentence to others, depending on the moral scope one sees it through. Misunderstanding may have contributed to the discord.
"It is not the abortion pill known as RU-486," explained Dr. Sherri Darrow, director of Wellness Education Services.
According to Darrow, emergency contraception is a drug taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
"It does several things," Mitravich said. "It prevents ovulation. It thickens uterine mucus to prevent sperm from fertilizing. It prevents attachment to the uterine wall in the event that the sperm has found the egg."
Because many college students have already hit the 18-year-old age requirement for obtaining EC, the age requirement is less likely to stir controversy on campus. Nonetheless, underage females on and off campus are unable to reap the benefits of the victory for women's reproductive rights.
"My opinion is that the age limit of 18 was probably added as a political compromise in order to assist in the bill's passage," said Dr. Frank Carnevale, director of health services. "I think the law was a step in the right direction, but I also think we certainly have further to go."
For those unaffected by the age stipulation, Darrow suggests students plan ahead.
"In general, I would suggest that women purchase EC before they need it. It is always better to have medication on hand if it is needed rather than have to purchase it when you are worried or it is late at night," Darrow said. "The pills are good for an extended period of time, up to three years after purchase."
Although EC is cheaper at the Michael Hall pharmacy, it is only open during the week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Additionally, the pharmacy is closed on holidays.
Celia Braunscheidel, a sophomore business major, is concerned with the false security EC may give students.
"It kind of makes it easier to sleep around and then rely on EC, now that it's so much easier to get," she said.
Darrow disputes the argument that EC will promote reckless sexual behavior.
"Research shows that women are more likely to use EC if they have it ahead of time and are not more likely to have unprotected sex or to use EC repeatedly," she said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
