CINCINNATI, Oct. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Women can now
receive hormonal birth control directly from Kroger Health
pharmacists. Effective immediately, women can visit a Kroger Health
pharmacy in California,
Colorado, Idaho, New
Mexico, Oregon,
Utah and Washington to obtain contraceptives from a
local pharmacist. The addition of pharmacist-supplied hormonal
contraceptives to Kroger Health pharmacies' suite of services
makes access to hormonal
contraception more convenient and less expensive for thousands of
women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
approximately 45% of pregnancies in the
United States are unintended, resulting from failure to use
birth control or inconsistent use of birth control. While
contraceptives like condoms are available over the counter, women
have historically been required to see a physician to get or
maintain access to prescription birth control products. Now that
pharmacists in select states have the ability to prescribe hormonal
contraceptives, women will have increased access to hormonal
contraceptives due to the convenient locations and hours of the
pharmacy.
"At Kroger Health, we are committed to changing the way
healthcare is delivered," said Colleen
Lindholz, President, Kroger
Health. "Now that our pharmacists in the specified divisions
are able to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, the process is so
much easier for women. We are leveraging the recent legislation
across several states to improve patient outcomes, broaden hormonal
contraceptive access and increase prescription adherence. These
factors contribute to our mission to simplify healthcare."
Eligible patients can obtain contraceptive patches and
self-administered hormonal contraceptive products from pharmacists
at participating Fred Meyers, King
Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's locations. Those interested in
taking advantage of this pharmacy service are encouraged to contact
local Kroger pharmacies for more information. Patients will be
required to complete a screening before receiving medications.
Hormonal contraception is also available at Kroger Health clinic
locations.
"Prescribing hormonal contraceptives is another way our
pharmacists are practicing at the top of their licenses," said
Jim Kirby, Senior Director of
Pharmacy Services, Kroger Health. "We are excited to help more
women access hormonal contraceptives through our pharmacies
offering this service."
About Kroger Health:
Kroger Health, the healthcare arm
of The Kroger Co., is one of America's leading retail healthcare
organizations, with over 2,000 pharmacies and 200 clinics in 35
states serving more than 14 million customers. Our team of 22,000
healthcare practitioners - from pharmacists and nurse
practitioners, to dietitians and technicians - help simplify
healthcare by providing solutions that combine health, wellness,
and nutrition, connecting with customers on an emotional and
personal level. We're also pioneering new work to help drive food
as medicine in order to prevent illness before it starts. Learn
more at www.krogerhealth.com.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to
Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly half a million associates who
serve nine million customers daily through a seamless digital
shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety
of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and
uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To
learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor
relations site.
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SOURCE Kroger Health