South Carolina lawmakers working on bill allowing women to get birth control pills without prescription

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Supporters of a invoice to permit girls to get contraception drugs at South Carolina pharmacies with out a physician’s prescription are attempting to get it handed earlier than the present session ends.

A Home subcommittee on Wednesday authorised the invoice, sending it to the chamber’s full medical committee. The invoice has already handed the Senate, however there are simply 9 common legislative days left within the Basic Meeting’s 2022 session.

Pharmacists might select whether or not to take part in this system, which might enable them to present contraception drugs or different hormonal contraceptives to girls older than 18 with out a physician’s go to, The Publish and Courier reported.

Even in areas with out docs, there are pharmacies shut by, state Rep. Russell Ott instructed the newspaper.

“If we wish to get critical about chopping down on abortions, if we’re going to lower the variety of undesirable or unplanned pregnancies, we have to get actual,” stated Ott, a Democrat from St. Matthews.

The invoice unanimously handed the Senate final 12 months. Republican Sen. Tom Davis of Beaufort launched it after the Basic Meeting handed a invoice vastly proscribing abortions, saying it was one other logical step to stopping undesirable pregnancies.

The one Republican member of the Home subcommittee voted towards the invoice.

GOP Rep. Joe Bustos of Mount Nice stated a physician ought to be concerned “anytime you’re placing chemical compounds into your physique.”