In a continued expansion of the Granny’s Attic-funded medical voucher program, teens can now use the vouchers to purchase emergency oral contraception (EOC) at the Vashon Pharmacy.

“We want this to be more accessible for those under 18,” said Deborah Rieschl, who administers the medical voucher program through Vashon Youth & Family Services. “We don’t want young people to have to deal with the financial cost.”

One-step EOC — which is often called the morning-after pill and is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy — became more accessible to teens in 2013, when the Food and Drug Administratoin (FDA) approved it for use without a prescription by anyone of childbearing age. Previously it was only available to those 17 and older. But the cost can run from $30 to $60, which Rieschl noted can be prohibitive for teens who don’t want to involve their parents.

Tom Langland, co-owner of the pharmacy, said that the vouchers are available now for any teen who comes in to obtain EOC. Since obtaining the product involves talking to a pharmacist, young customers should ask for the voucher at that time.

Langland emphasized that while ID is no longer required to purchase EOC, those requesting a voucher will have to give ID to show they are 18 or younger.

“We’re not supposed to be asking for ID for the product any more, but for the vouchers we will have to unless it’s obvious that the customer is within the age limit,” Langland said. “They are two different things, but it might be confusing for the customer.”

Rieschl, however, is hopeful.

“We want to make this work,” she said. “We just want to make sure that young people know that this is available to them.”