Women can buy birth control without doc visit

Kroger Health announced Monday that pharmacists at its locations in Colorado, which include King Soopers and City Market stores, will start directly dispensing hormonal birth control, meaning women who get their medicine there can now skip a trip to the doctor’s office for select contraceptives.

The announcement follows a 2016 state law that gave women who are at least 18 the ability to receive birth control from pharmacists after completing a questionnaire, blood-pressure check and consultation.

Kroger Health has rolled out the new policy, which it says will increase access to birth control by making it convenient and less expensive, in six other states, including New Mexico and Utah. It is effective immediately, according to a news release.

“Now that our pharmacists in the specified divisions are able to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, the process is so much easier for women,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of

Kroger Health, in a statement.

Women will be able to pick up birth control patches and self-administered hormonal contraceptive products directly from Kroger Health Clinics and from pharmacies at King Soopers and City Market, as well as Fred Meyers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.

Patients will still have to undergo a health screening before they can receive the medication, according to the news release.

A spokesperson for Kroger could not immediately be reached for comment.