NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and Madison Alder Zach Brandon, District 7, introduced a proposed emergency contraception ordinance Monday aiming to improve emergency contraception access for women in Madison who need the morning-after pill.
Emergency contraception is a more concentrated amount of the hormones contained in regular birth control pills. When taken within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, it is successful at preventing pregnancy. The sooner EC is taken, the more likely pregnancy will be prevented. If passed by the Madison Common Council, pharmacies that do not stock Plan B would be required to display a sign at the pharmacy window notifying women that Plan B is not available. The signs would also have to list the closest pharmacy where EC could be purchased.
An informational brochure will also be created to provide to sexual assault victims in emergency rooms.
""Every sexual assault survivor should ... not be forced to go ‘pharmacy-shopping' or go to another hospital at the most traumatic moment in her life,"" said Dr. Laura Sabo, a UW-Professor, in a statement.
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin said it hopes the ordinance will address the issue of EC availability by having pharmacies choose to make EC available, rather than display a sign at the counter.
""One in four pharmacies [doesn't] even stock Plan B. In the 16 largest cities in Wisconsin, 42 percent don't stock EC. There's definitely a big problem with pharmacies just not having the medication available,"" said Kelda Helen Roys, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, a political conduit of the abortion rights movement.
University Health Services said women ages 18 and older are not required to obtain a prescription in order to purchase EC, as long as identification can be verified. However, women under 18 need a doctor's prescription.
Kathy Kuhnen, UHS nurse manager of the Women's Clinic, said the ordinance will make EC very accessible for women 18 and older. If the intercourse in question happens on the weekend, women will not have to call UHS' on-call line or wait until the beginning of the week to attain EC.
Kuhen said, ""Women need access to Plan B. When you legislate emergency contraception, it ends up limiting access for young women who really need the medication.""
