Health Iowa Q&A

How much is “the pill” without insurance?

Westlawn Pharmacy (located in Student Health Service) offers a variety of contraceptives at a discounted price. Beginning February 1, 2007, the following products will be available at discounted prices*:
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
Plan B emergency contraceptive- over-the-counter for patients > 18 years old - $32/pack

ATTENTION students currently taking
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo®/Desogen®/NuvaRing® :
SHS & Westlawn Pharmacy learned in late December that we are no longer able to obtain Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo®, Desogen® and NuvaRing® at discounted prices. We therefore will not be able to provide these to students at the previous prices. It is important to continue taking your oral contraceptive and there are a number of options to ensure that you can do so.
• Provide pharmacy staff with your prescription insurance card. We will try to submit to this card. You will likely have a “copay”, or portion that you will owe
• If the copay is too high, or you do not have insurance, a pharmacy staff member may be able to call your physician to recommend a less costly alternative.

Prescriptions for these contraceptives are usually written after an annual exam and pap smear. To schedule an annual exam at Student Health Service, call 335-8394. If you already have a prescription at another pharmacy and would like to start purchasing your pills at Westlawn Pharmacy, call 335-9200. A pharmacist will contact the pharmacy with your current prescription and transfer it over the phone.

Iowa City also has two other agencies that offer discounted contraceptives. You can call Planned Parenthood at 354-8000 or the Emma Goldman Clinic at 337-2111.

Trisha Schiltz
Health Iowa Intern
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 4/18/06
Updated 3/12/09

*Price and availability are subject to change without advance notice
**Plan B is now available without a prescription for people age 18 years and older. 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. The cost of the over-the-counter product is $32 at Westlawn Pharmacy. For more information, call 335-9200.