LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new pharmaceutical company and the Kentucky Health Justice Network have partnered to expand access to emergency contraceptives, commonly called the morning-after pill.
Julie, a pharmaceutical company founded in 2022, is donating nearly 200,000 emergency contraceptive pills nationwide.
“There needs to be a new narrative, a new face of what is healthy and what is acceptable, and what is shame-free and we think we can do that,” Julie co-founder and president Amanda E/J Morrison said.
For every pill the company sells in retail stores, Morrison said that purchase also pays for a pill that’s donated to organizations like the Kentucky Health Justice Network, which gives them out for free.
“Emergency contraception is just about pregnancy prevention. We think it is one more tool in the ‘I don’t want to be pregnant’ toolkit, and so for us everyone having access to that is extremely important for them to really dictate their lives and life choices,” Morrison said.
Julie made its first stop to drop off the pills in Louisville at Trouble Bar. Founded in 2019, the Shelby Park bar is no stranger to providing free contraceptives in a non-judgmental way. They’ve had a long-standing partnership with the Kentucky Health Justice Network, which has made that possible.
“We also want to emphasize this is a very normal process. Almost everyone needs access to reproductive care at some point, so discrete, yes, but also totally fine to do it publicly, said Kaitlyn Soligan, co-owner of Trouble Bar. “Very, very fine to have access to these things in public places.”
The bar stocks the pill in baskets next to its restroom.
Julie’s product, along with other sexual wellness supplies, were also given out at the bar Thursday.
“If you are at a bar and you’re having a good time, yeah, maybe you need emergency contraception and we don’t want anyone to feel bad about that choice,” Morrison said.
Morrison adds not everyone can afford the morning-after pill. This program helps ensure free access to the pregnancy-prevention drug.
The company’s first shipment of pills is currently being distributed. The emergency contraceptive will be available at bars, coffee shops, and student groups in Louisville and in eastern Kentucky.
People can reach out to the Kentucky Health Justice Network if they need help finding the product.