Due to the lucky timing of her latest rotation, pharmacy student Angela Simonchyk had a front-row seat to big news on March 19: the signing of a standing order by New York's top doctor to make birth control available over the counter in pharmacies.
Simonchyk, in her P4 year and on rotation at College Parkside Pharmacy, was on hand when New York Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald signed the order and Gov. Kathy Hochul touted women’s increased ability to control their own bodies. ACPHS’ student-operated pharmacy at the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center served as the backdrop for the official signing, covered by news agencies throughout the state.
“It was definitely awesome,” said Simonchyk, who hails from Clinton in northern New York. “It was an honor to be involved in something so great.”
Other ACPHS pharmacy students, though not present at the event, felt pride in seeing the measure take effect. They had advocated for passage of the legislation enabling the order during Lobby Day 2023 with the Pharmacy Society of the State of New York.
“By having it over the counter, it’s easily accessible, and as a woman, I think you should be able to have that,” said Ashley Monette, president of SPSSNY, the student chapter of the pharmacy society.
Simonchyk, an intern at a local Price Chopper Pharmacy who has a job lined up there after graduation, characterized her attendance at the news event as “extra cool” because she would be able to see the effects of the new measure as it expands access to hormonal birth control.
"It’s really good for women in New York State, and hopefully we’ll be able to extend it to other states as well,” Simonchyk said.
Dr. McDonald’s signing of the order on March 19 authorized legislation signed last year by Gov. Hochul allowing pharmacy customers to get birth control pills, vaginal rings and contraceptive patches without a prescription. More than two dozen other states also allow some degree of over-the-counter birth control access in pharmacies.
ACPHS faculty and staff were also on hand for the event and provided their expertise to area news outlets.
Paul Pagnotta ’92, operations manager for ACPHS’ student-operated pharmacies, spoke to Spectrum News about the law’s intention to improve access to birth control to medically underserved populations, including those with modest incomes or who live in rural areas.
“Not all these neighborhoods that are underserved have the luxury of having a health center,” Pagnotta said. “Pharmacies are their main point of contact.”
Alum John McDonald ’85, who is a pharmacist, state Assemblyman and the brother of the health commissioner, told Spectrum News that pharmacists are well qualified to carry out the order, just as they administer vaccines and dispense naloxone, an opioid antidote. Prior to dispensing hormonal birth control, a pharmacist must determine if the selected contraceptive is appropriate for the customer based on factors such as other medical conditions.
“Pharmacists are trained to be able to make that evaluation based on the patient’s information,” Assemblyman McDonald said.
Associate Professor Dr. Jacqueline Cleary said she was glad to see increasing opportunities for pharmacists in the state to put their education and knowledge to full use.
“As a pharmacist, it's exciting to me to see my profession empowered to give us opportunities to expand health care, to show our worth,” she told Albany TV station CBS-6.