The price of birth control at student health centers has remained high for the last year and a half, and students are turning to emergency contraception or switching to generic versions to offset the cost.
I asked specifically for generic when I was first prescribed birth control
but when the price (of the generic) went up I was unwilling to pay that much money and went off it said Katy Fishman, an Ohio University sophomore studying political science and creative writing.
One of the reasons for the high prices is the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which was passed in February 2006. The act affected prescription drug payment policies, so college health centers could no longer receive discounted packages of birth control to give to students.-
said Dan Hudson, a pharmacist at Hudson. Within Hudson's list of contraceptives, 13 different generic brands are on hand, all at $20.
Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio, 1005 E. State St., also offers oral contraceptives, but media representatives for the Athens branch did not return calls seeking comment.
Students have also opted to use emergency contraception, or Plan B, instead of birth control.
Plan B is not intended to be used as a contraceptive. It should be considered an 'emergency intervention
' said Char Kopchick, director of Health Promotion at OU.
Plan B has been available over-the-counter for about a year and a half, and as it has become more readily available, it has been used just as much as day-to-day contraceptive, Hudson said.
I stopped using birth control for a while when the price went up
but then I had to use Plan B if anything happened
said Chenee Castruita, a senior studying advertising.
Planned Parenthood has not switched to generics. The company was not affected by the bill and receives federal funding to sell birth control at low prices.
The prices for contraceptive range from $3 to $26 depending on a person's income and the contraceptive type, said Beth Lonn, director of patient care services at Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio.
Since the passing of the bill, the ACHA has been pushing Congress to fix this accident
but ACHA does not see a change happening until at least the next presidential administration is sworn into office, said Hoban.
Of course (the price of oral contraception) should be lower
Fishman said. It's hugely necessary for women who want to make responsible decisions in their sex life.
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