Journal article
Preventing unintended pregnancy: Pharmacists' roles in practice and policy via partnerships
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Vol.50(5), pp.604-612
09/2010
DOI: 10.1331/JAPhA.2010.09195
PMID: 20833619
Abstract
To review the literature regarding pharmacists' roles in preventing unintended pregnancy, review the relevant laws and policies in the United States to describe pharmacists' and/or pharmacy's role in policy development related to unintended pregnancy, and identify partners who pharmacists can work with in this public health area.
A systematic review was conducted focusing on the role of pharmacists in unintended pregnancy. For practice, articles were identified in Medline through July 1, 2009, using MeSH and keywords. For policy, two authors examined the current status of access issues related to over-the-counter (OTC) status and collaborative practice agreements. Partners were identified in the reviews and authors' experiences.
English-language, U.S.-based articles that contained either qualitative or quantitative data or were review articles addressing pharmacist interventions, pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes regarding contraception, and pharmacists' comfort and ability to counsel on preventing unintended pregnancy were included.
Some improvements to emergency contraception (EC) access in pharmacies have occurred during the previous decade. Studies focused on counseling, pharmacist provision of depot reinjection, and pharmacist initiation of oral contraceptives were positive. No studies linked increased contraceptive access in pharmacies to lower pregnancy rates. In terms of policy, the literature described three access-related areas, including (1) EC and conscience clauses, (2) collaborative practice agreements, and (3) changes in prescription to OTC status. Pharmacists' partnerships may include physicians/clinicians, local health departments, family-planning organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and colleges of pharmacy.
Currently, pharmacists may increase access to contraceptives primarily via EC and use of collaborative practice agreements to initiate and/or continue hormonal contraceptives. New practice models should be implemented in community or clinic practices as allowed by collaborative practice regulations in each state. We encourage researchers and practitioners to consider a community approach in their endeavors by working with numerous types of primary care providers and organizations to explore ways to increase contraceptive access.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Preventing unintended pregnancy: Pharmacists' roles in practice and policy via partnerships
- Creators
- Karen B. Farris - University of IowaDaniel Ashwood - University of IowaJennifer McIntosh - College of Health Sciences, BahrainNatalie A. DiPietro - Ohio Northern UniversityNicole Monastersky Maderas - Tioga County Partnership for Community HealthSharon Cohen Landau - Tioga County Partnership for Community HealthJohn Swegle - University of IowaOrod Solemani - Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Vol.50(5), pp.604-612
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1331/JAPhA.2010.09195
- PMID
- 20833619
- ISSN
- 1544-3191
- eISSN
- 1544-3450
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2010
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy Practice and Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984365905802771
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