Plan B, an emergency contraception known as the “day after pill,” is available in many college pharmacies across the country. Several universities are taking Plan B a step further by installing the drug in vending machines around campuses.
These dispensers are not available at N.C. State, and Student Health Services was unable to comment by this publication date.
With these dispensers, women with either failed birth control or who are victims of rape can quickly and anonymously access emergency contraception. For women who are uncomfortable buying Plan B, embarrassing interactions with clerks or pharmacists would be completely eliminated.
Many physicians agree that women should use Plan B in emergencies only, and easy access may diminish the risks of use. However, opponents of Plan B vending machines object that they encourage promiscuity and unsafe sex.
Currently, Plan B is available over-the-counter to anyone over the age of 17. The drug delays ovulation or interferes with the fertilization of an egg by thickening the cervical mucus plug hampering sperms’ ability to travel. The drug has no effect on fetuses or eggs that have already been fertilized.
The most recent college to implement Plan B vending machines is Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. According to a Shippensburg Health official, the machines have been very successful.
The machines dispense health-related items exclusively and are available only in the Health Center. Plan B users front the cost of the medicine: no state tax dollars or student fees subsidize the price.
“[Our] university is not encouraging anyone to be sexually active…[it] is providing students with a medication that they can obtain legally elsewhere as part of their ability to make their own choices,” stated Roger L. Serr, vice president for Shippensburg Student Affairs.
Adopting the machines at NCSU may spark controversy, while some students expressed concern that the machines would promote unsafe sex. Technician interviewed three students who wish to remain anonymous in this story.
“I think it’s way more important to emphasize preventative things like condoms. To me, it implies that it’s okay to have unprotected sex because there’s always a backup plan. So people might have unsafe sex and risk STDs.”
A self-described feminist opposed the idea as well.
“If women are ashamed to be seen buying contraception, the solution isn’t making the process anonymous — we need to change how society perceives sexuality,” she said.
Other students were more enthusiastic about the idea of having a dispenser on campus.
“I think it’s awesome,” said a senior student. “Women should always be allowed access to birth control methods. The more access, the more freedom, the better.”
