Oregon became the nation’s first state to give permission to women to buy hormonal contraception from a pharmacist directly, on January 1. They don’t need to bring along prescription from doctor at the time of purchasing. The step taken is the aim of many doctors and medical associations, according to whom easier access to birth control is the only way to improve women's health and cut poverty.

Their vision is similar to the one of a rising number of politicians on both sides of the aisle, mainly as the GOP is fighting against the insistence of Democrats that Republicans are giving way to ‘war on women’ by restricting access to abortions and reproductive health services state by state.

However, it seems like the arguments of partisan over expense and coverage could derail the attempts to bring the change in other states, leaving Oregon and California, which are looking forward to enact similar laws in the approaching months, the only exceptions presently.

Buying the contraceptives is not going to be exactly an over-the-counter process in both states, but will be typically a one-stop transaction. Women looking for a hormonal birth control method, like contraceptive pills or patches, will have to fill out questionnaires regarding their medical history.

Trained pharmacists will review their answers, after which they can prescribe the medication directly. In Oregon, patients below 18 years will have to get prescription from a doctor first.

The effort has been praised by many doctors, saying that the process’ efficiency will motivate more women to seek contraception.