Assessment of Family Planning Services at Community Pharmacies in San Diego, California

Abstract

Abstract:Levonorgestrel emergency contraception and other contraceptive methods are available over-the-counter (OTC); however youth continue to face a number of barriers in accessing healthcare services, including lack of knowledge of the method, fear of loss of privacy, difficulties in finding a provider, and cost. A descriptive, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study of a sample of 112 community pharmacies in San Diego, California was conducted between December 2009 and January 2010 to assess community pharmacy practices related to the availability and accessibility of family planning health pharmacy services and products, particularly to youth. A majority (n = 79/112, 70.5%) of the pharmacies carried a wide selection of male condoms; however, the other OTC nonhormonal contraceptive products were either not available or available with limited selection. A majority of the pharmacies sold emergency contraception (n = 88/111, 78.6%). Most patient counseling areas consisted of either a public or a semi-private area. A majority of the pharmacy sites did not provide materials or services targeting youth. Significant gaps exist in providing family planning products and services in the majority of community pharmacies in San Diego, California. Education and outreach efforts are needed to promote provision of products and services, particularly to the adolescent population.

Roles of the Pharmacist in the Use of Safe and Highly Effective Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: An Opinion of the Women's Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

“…One important consideration for community pharmacies is making available a private area for discussing confidential or sensitive matters. Currently, most community pharmacies have a public or semiprivate patient counseling area …”

“…Currently, most community pharmacies have a public or semiprivate patient counseling area. 55 Collaboration and support from other health care providers is essential for clinical pharmacy services to be successful. 56 Local health departments and family planning clinics are ideal partners.…”

Provision of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Community Pharmacies: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Structures and Processes in Jos, Nigeria

“…Thus, pharmacies are providing expanded access to family planning especially for unmarried and younger women [6,7]. In developed countries like the United States of America and Canada, many contraceptive products including the hormonal agent levonorgestrel are approved for OTC emergency dispensing, requiring a pharmacist's prescription for insurance reimbursements [8,9]. Similarly, in the United Kingdom community pharmacists evaluate clients and supervise the sale of emergency contraceptive products [10].…”