Abstract
Introduction: Pharmacist prescribing of contraception is becoming increasingly available in selected states. The objective of this study was to assess US community pharmacists’ perspectives on expanding access, barriers, and facilitators since states have begun pharmacist scope of practice expansions for prescribing contraception. Methods: A survey study of US community pharmacists’ support for expanded access models, pharmacist prescribing practices and interest, and importance of safety, cost, and professional practice issues for prescribing was conducted. Results: Pharmacists are generally supportive of pharmacist prescribing and behind-the-counter models for hormonal contraception and generally opposed to over-the-counter access. A majority (65%) are interested in prescribing hormonal contraception. The top motivation for prescribing contraception is enjoying individual patient contact (94%). Safety concerns (eg, patients not obtaining health screenings) remained most important for pharmacist implementation, followed by cost (eg, lack of payment or reimbursement for pharmacists’ services), and professional practice (eg, pharmacist time constraints and liability) issues. Conclusion: This study provides an updated understanding of attitudes toward models of expanded access to hormonal contraception, interest in prescribing, and barriers and facilitators to this service among community pharmacists. Many barriers such as time and reimbursement remain unchanged. This information can inform policy and implementation efforts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 230-238 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Pharmacy Practice |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by a Faculty Research Incentive Fund Grant from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and faculty development funds from the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.
Keywords
- community pharmacy services
- contraception
- pharmacies
- pharmacists
- pharmacy legislation
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article