"College students may have to pay more for birth control -- in some cases doubling or nearly tripling their previous costs -- at campus pharmacies when they return to school this fall."

"The price increase is the result in a change in federal regulations that no longer allows campus health centers to buy contraceptives at a reduced cost from pharmaceutical companies."

"Instead of paying about $15 a month for oral contraceptives, students now face prices of more than $40 in some cases. That could particularly cause a financial strain on students who lack health insurance or who bought birth control out-of-pocket, not wanting to use their parents' health plan."

"Rachel Arnold, a 25-year-old married graduate student at the University of Washington, was hit with the higher prices for birth control earlier this year. Instead of paying $16 a month, she now has to go through health insurance and fork over a $25 co-pay. If she didn't have insurance, it would cost even more."

"Some campus pharmacies, such as the UW's Hall Health Primary Care Clinic, stocked up on birth control when they could still buy it at the reduced price. But they are now running out of the discounted product. "

"At one point, the UW offered 14 different oral contraceptives at a reduced cost, pharmacy director John Medina said. Now the pharmacy is down to one, and Medina expects to run out of that supply within a month."

"In recent months, he saw a few students switch medications for price alone, buying discounted birth control that was still in supply."

"College students may be strapped for cash, having to pay for the costs of their education and living expenses. Some, especially older graduate students, may already be married and supporting children as well."

"Pharmaceutical companies offered name-brand contraceptives to student health centers at a discount to introduce college consumers to their products. The health
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