Pharmacist prescribing birth control popular with women

Drug Store News,  March 21, 2005  

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NEW YORK -- While a small number of pharmacists may wrestle with dispensing birth control or emergency contraception, about 63 percent of women indicated they would prefer getting their contraceptive of choice without having to see the doctor--instead consulting with the pharmacist on appropriate use.

According to a survey Pharmacy Access Partnership conducted last year, 15 percent of women reported problems in obtaining a prescription for hormonal birth control--representing roughly 3 million women when extrapolated across the population.

Pharmacists already are playing an increasing role in the dispensing of birth control without involving a physician. Currently, six states--Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico and Washington--allow direct access to emergency contraception after consulting only with a pharmacist.

Washington also has passed legislation allowing pharmacists to refuse dispensing contraceptives on religious grounds, suggesting that extended access and an individual pharmacist's right to respect their moral beliefs can coexist in the same marketplace.

Also in Washington, the University of Washington in conjunction with four Bartell Drug Stores and four Fred Meyer pharmacies has been test-marketing a model where the pharmacist both prescribes and dispenses hormonal birth control following a consultation with the woman. The ongoing study evaluates each participant for a year. Since the official announcement of the study in February 2003, the test market has been well received.

Indeed, according to the PAP survey, women identify many advantages to direct access to birth control through their pharmacy. Some 84 percent of women cite the convenience of the drug store as the greatest advantage, followed by saving time and not having to schedule or pay for a doctor's appointment. Three-out-of-4 women surveyed suggested there may be public health advantages, as well such as a reduction in the number of unintended pregnancies.

Do you agree that pharmacists
should provide hormonal
contraception as long as they
screen for health risks?

Strongly agree       36%
Somewhat agree       27%
Somewhat disagree    12%
Strongly disagree    23%
Don't know            2%

Note: Table made from pie chart.

Source: Pharmacy Access Partnership telephone survey
of 811 women of childbearing age

COPYRIGHT 2005 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning