PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky is adjusting to a post-Roe era this week.

With that, an Eastern Kentucky pharmacist is sharing his perspective on how he’s having to help patients and their concerns about accessing contraception.

The end of Roe v Wade last week has caused a palpable ripple effect.

“They’re concerned about access,” said Joel Thornbury, Nova Pharmacy's owner. Thornbury is a third-generation pharmacist with three decades of experience.

Over the past few days, he’s spent a lot of time talking to patients who have come to him with concerns about contraception.

“There’s so much there’s so much confusion out there now. You know, even at this point today, I have patients that will call and say, ‘Is this something that I am going to have access to?’” Thornbury said, as he explained the various conversations he’s having with people. “Is this now considered a form that you’re not going to be able to provide care for me because of whatever law the Kentucky legislature has enacted this past year and will go into effect in the next few days?’”

With Kentucky’s trigger law going into immediate effect that bans abortions with an exception where there’s a concern for the mother’s life, it has raised some questions on birth control.

“I do have patients and as I said, male and female, that are having concerns, you know, where are they today? Will they have the same access in six months? Is what they’re doing is illegal in this state?” Thornbury said.

That uncertainty will continue with this ever-evolving issue with new laws or bills coming into the conversation.

The pharmacist said he’s working with other pharmacists and talking to state officials to get more clarity on executing Kentucky’s law related to abortion and reproductive care.