Contraceptives at the Westlawn Pharmacy
The Westlawn Pharmacy at Student Health has a variety of prescription medications available, including contraceptives. Read on for answers to questions about obtaining contraceptives through the pharmacy.
Jump to a question:
- What contraceptives will the pharmacy carry?
- How much will contraceptives cost if I don't have insurance?
- I already have a prescription. How do I get pills/patches through SHS?
- How do I get pills/patches if I don't have prescription or my prescription is expired/out of refills?
- How do I know what contraceptive to use?
- How do I pay for contraceptives?
- How do I get emergency contraception (morning after pill)?
The Westlawn Pharmacy has a variety of contraceptives available by prescription. If the particular pill you have been prescribed is not currently stocked, our pharmacy will order it and keep it in stock for you. Please call the Westlawn Pharmacy pharmacist at (319) 335-9200 and ask in advance.
The following contraceptive products are available at discounted prices for patients who do not have insurance. Please note the price and availability of discounted contraceptives are subject to change without advance notice.
| TriSprintec (generic Ortho TriCyclen) | $18/month |
| Apri (generic Desogen) | $18/month |
| Nortrel 1/35 (generic Ortho Novum 1/35) | $18/month |
| Lessina (generic Alesse) | $20/month. |
In addition, the pharmacy carries a full variety of other birth control brands and offer the generic when available. These products range in price from $23 per month to $55 per month. We are always happy to help with submitting to insurance as well. Please contact a pharmacy staff member at (319) 335-9200 with any questions.
- Your prescription needs to be current. Most prescriptions are good for one year from the date of your annual exam (pap smear and physical).
- If you have a current prescription on file at the Student Health Service (SHS) Dispensary, it will be transferred to the Westlawn Pharmacy. No action is required on your part.
- If you have a prescription at another pharmacy and would like to start purchasing your pills at the Westlawn Pharmacy:
- Call the Westlawn Pharmacy at (319) 335-9200 and let the pharmacist know.
- For your convenience, Westlawn Pharmacy will contact the pharmacy which has your current prescription and transfer the prescription via telephone.
- If you have a prescription from your physician and want to change to a different pill:
- Call your physician’s office and provide this information.
- Your doctor might want you to schedule an appointment.
- Pick up the new prescription from your physician or ask to have it provided to the Westlawn Pharmacy.
- If you want to request a refill for your contraceptive prescription, you may do so by accessing our refill request website or by phoning the Westlawn Pharmacy (319) 335-9200.
- Typically contraceptive pill and patch prescriptions are written at the time of your annual exam and pap smear. You may schedule an annual exam at the SHS by calling (319) 335-8394. You may also schedule an exam with your hometown physician.
- At the time of your exam, discuss contraceptives with your physician and, if appropriate, request a prescription.
- If you have already had an annual exam in the past year, but do not have a prescription (or if your prescription no longer has refills), contact your physician's office to request a prescription be called to the Westlawn Pharmacy or the pharmacy of your choice.
- If you prefer to have your prescription written by one of the SHS physicians, you may schedule a SHS appointment to obtain a prescription. Please contact the physician's office where you had your annual exam and ask them to send the records of your exam and pap smear to: THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE, 4189 WESTLAWN, IOWA CITY, IA, 52242.
- If you would like to discuss contraceptive options, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at the SHS.
- Please keep in mind that if you choose a contraceptive that requires a prescription (for instance, pill, patch, diaphragm, cervical cap, Nuva Ring), an annual exam needs to have been completed in the past year. You may schedule both an annual exam and discussion of contraceptives with a physician at the SHS. Please let the scheduling staff know the reasons for your visit so that they provide the right length appointment time. You can also read more about contraceptives here.
- For your convenience, the Westlawn Pharmacy will accept the following payment options: cash, check, MasterCard/Visa, U-Bill and UI Payroll Deduction.
- Contraceptive charges may also be submitted to your insurance company.
- Please note that insurance companies often limit the number of packs you may purchase at one time.
- If you are planning travel for an extended period of time, contact your insurance company about the option of purchasing additional pills for your travel. The pharmacist can assist you with this, but the authorization for a higher quantity needs to be taken care of in advance.
Plan B (emergency contraception) is now available over the counter, without a prescription. You may visit the Westlawn Pharmacy or other area pharmacies to purchase Plan B. To purchase at the Westlawn Pharmacy at Student Health, you need to bring an ID with proof that verifies you are 18 or older. Students who are under 18 must make an appointment with a provider to obtain a written prescription. Current price is $32.*
To submit an electronic prescription renewal request, click here. For refills only.
*Prices subject to change. Call for current pricing.
