In 2005, President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act, which prohibited pharmaceutical companies from selling contraceptives to college health centers at a reduced price. President Obama, however, signed a bill reversing that provision in the act. This is a very good thing, obviously alot of college students are sexually active, but they are not the most responsible people either. However, according to this article
by the John Hopkins University newsletter, due to the recession, pharmaceutical companies are not giving universities a straight answer on whether contraceptives will be sold at a discounted price. Everytime a drug company is reached a response such as "We'll get back to you" or "We're discussing that at the moment" is given. It all comes down to money in the end, as usual. Before President put the provision into effect, the NuvaRing sold for $3-$5 while oral contraceptives sold for around $10-$11. In the meantime, health centers have been encouraging students to get the generic versions of the bigger name brand contraceptives in stores such as Wal-mart, where it is more affordable. There is complaint though that students have trouble getting to bigger stores like wal-mart and the inconvenience factor is an issue. Students also feel less comfortable going to an outside source of their school.
I do not understand why this provision was passed in the first place. If anyone needs discounted birth control, I would put college students on the list. Many do not have jobs, or high paying ones, and already are on a budget. The standard cost of birth control pills can be as high as $50 per cycle. That is not an affordable rate. Due to the laziness, many students will just stop using contraceptives altogether. The campus even has recorded that once students realized the price of the pills from the health center, they declined to buy them. I truly hope that the drug companies change their minds in the decision to not sell discounted pills.
by the John Hopkins University newsletter, due to the recession, pharmaceutical companies are not giving universities a straight answer on whether contraceptives will be sold at a discounted price. Everytime a drug company is reached a response such as "We'll get back to you" or "We're discussing that at the moment" is given. It all comes down to money in the end, as usual. Before President put the provision into effect, the NuvaRing sold for $3-$5 while oral contraceptives sold for around $10-$11. In the meantime, health centers have been encouraging students to get the generic versions of the bigger name brand contraceptives in stores such as Wal-mart, where it is more affordable. There is complaint though that students have trouble getting to bigger stores like wal-mart and the inconvenience factor is an issue. Students also feel less comfortable going to an outside source of their school.
I do not understand why this provision was passed in the first place. If anyone needs discounted birth control, I would put college students on the list. Many do not have jobs, or high paying ones, and already are on a budget. The standard cost of birth control pills can be as high as $50 per cycle. That is not an affordable rate. Due to the laziness, many students will just stop using contraceptives altogether. The campus even has recorded that once students realized the price of the pills from the health center, they declined to buy them. I truly hope that the drug companies change their minds in the decision to not sell discounted pills.
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