Cook County & Grand Portage Health organizations increase access to the morning-after pill with help from Grand Marais Holiday Gas Station; OTC birth control now available at SMC Pharmacy
Apr 19, 2024 11:09AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 19, 2024
Obtaining over-the-counter birth control and the morning-after pill has recently become more accessible in Cook County.
The morning-after pill (also known as Plan B One-Step) is a type of emergency or backup method of birth control. It has been available through the North Shore Health Emergency Room for after-hours needs when the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy is closed. When the pharmacy is open, Plan-B One Step, a generic brand, and a pill called "Ella", which is a more effective option for people who weigh 165 lbs or over, are all available over the counter. Plan B One-Step is also available for free at Grand Portage Health Services between Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm.
But now, community members can visit Holiday Gas Station in Downtown Grand Marais to obtain Plan-B One Step or a generic version of the morning-after pill, in addition to the Pharmacy and ER.
Boreal Community Media reached out to Courtney Quaife, who co-owns that particular Holiday Gas Station with her husband, Tim Quaife, to learn more.
"We are offering two different brands at Holiday; Plan B for $29.99 and a generic version, which has the same active ingredient but is $10.99," she said. Both options are available in the Health and Beauty aisle, and no ID or insurance card is required to purchase. "Customers can walk in and purchase them like any other over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol," she added.
Quaife shared that they were approached by Cook County Health Services to be a potential resource that would be able to provide more accessibility for people who require this type of emergency birth control.
"We thought that having another over-the-counter offering [in the community] that is open 5 am-11 pm, 7 days a week, could allow people more access if an emergency presented itself. We hope we can help even just one person, who may not have had access before or who has had an emergency situation."
Over-the-counter birth control
In addition to expanding access to emergency contraceptives, a new over-the-counter daily birth control option is now available at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy. The pill is called "Opill", and was recently approved by the FDA.
The pill is available any time the pharmacy is open with no prescription needed, for $25.70 a month. There is no required age to purchase Opill.
These offerings are a collaborative effort between Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, North Shore Health, and Grand Portage Health Services.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 19, 2024
Obtaining over-the-counter birth control and the morning-after pill has recently become more accessible in Cook County.
The morning-after pill (also known as Plan B One-Step) is a type of emergency or backup method of birth control. It has been available through the North Shore Health Emergency Room for after-hours needs when the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy is closed. When the pharmacy is open, Plan-B One Step, a generic brand, and a pill called "Ella", which is a more effective option for people who weigh 165 lbs or over, are all available over the counter. Plan B One-Step is also available for free at Grand Portage Health Services between Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm.
Image: Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy
But now, community members can visit Holiday Gas Station in Downtown Grand Marais to obtain Plan-B One Step or a generic version of the morning-after pill, in addition to the Pharmacy and ER.
Boreal Community Media reached out to Courtney Quaife, who co-owns that particular Holiday Gas Station with her husband, Tim Quaife, to learn more.
"We are offering two different brands at Holiday; Plan B for $29.99 and a generic version, which has the same active ingredient but is $10.99," she said. Both options are available in the Health and Beauty aisle, and no ID or insurance card is required to purchase. "Customers can walk in and purchase them like any other over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol," she added.
Quaife shared that they were approached by Cook County Health Services to be a potential resource that would be able to provide more accessibility for people who require this type of emergency birth control.
"We thought that having another over-the-counter offering [in the community] that is open 5 am-11 pm, 7 days a week, could allow people more access if an emergency presented itself. We hope we can help even just one person, who may not have had access before or who has had an emergency situation."
Image: Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy
In addition to expanding access to emergency contraceptives, a new over-the-counter daily birth control option is now available at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy. The pill is called "Opill", and was recently approved by the FDA.
The pill is available any time the pharmacy is open with no prescription needed, for $25.70 a month. There is no required age to purchase Opill.
These offerings are a collaborative effort between Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, North Shore Health, and Grand Portage Health Services.
