Key Points

1. 1) The United States is still grappling with how to reduce high prescription drug costs. Some states have addressed the overall costs of accessing health care through either allowing pharmacists to prescribe some medications or doing away with prescription requirements for some low-risk medications.
2. 2) Emerging evidence shows that allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain low-risk medications—such as hormonal contraception—increases health care access and helps consumers.
3. 3) More states should allow pharmacists to prescribe appropriate, relatively low-risk medications, which will increase access to care.