The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50407

George Wolfe, MD, Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, P.O. Box 962, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-454-4274, wolfeg@health.co.santa-cruz.ca.us, George Pennebaker, Pharm D, California Pharmacists Association, 1121 I Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95814, and Jane Boggess, PhD, Pharmacy Access Partnership, Public Health Institute, 614 Grand Avenue, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94610.

California’s public health community played a strong role in shaping contraceptive access policy to emergency hormonal contraception (EC) and, indirectly, influencing retail pharmacy practices within the state. The Public Health Institute sponsored landmark legislation in 2001 specifically designed to allow women to obtain EC directly from a pharmacist without first visiting a doctor. With local health department participation, it actively engaged diverse elements of the pharmacy community, including a statewide pharmacist association, schools of pharmacy, independent community pharmacies, and large retail chains.

This presentation summarizes the broad coalition that was formed to support legislation, the legislative strategies and tactics used in California, and the different types of messages targeted to media, pharmacists, physicians, and lawmakers. It also describes the incentives and disincentives retail pharmacies face when participating in contraceptive service innovation and, from a public health perspective, the important role pharmacies can play in expanding contraceptive access for women and promoting community health.

Finally, it provides an overview of the responsibility placed on nongovernmental organizations when a new system of care – pharmacist provision of EC – becomes legally permissible, but the initial implementation including training, consumer awareness and local program development are neither government structured or funded.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session to the participant will be able to

• Recognize the role of public health in expanding access to emergency hormonal contraception (EC) and changing EC access policy.
• Assess the role of retail pharmacies in promoting reproductive health.
• Articulate successful legislative strategies and tactics used in one state to enact legislation permitting the community to directly obtain EC in pharmacies.
• Define the different types of messages targeted to media, physicians and clinics, pharmacists, and lawmakers.
• Describe the incentives and disincentives for retail pharmacies when presented with service innovation.
• Recognize the challenges and opportunities for NGOs in the U.S. when a new system of care becomes available, but is neither structured nor funded by government.

Keywords: Contraception, Public Policy

Related Web page: www.PharmacyAccess.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Public Health Institute
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Current part part time consultant to the Public Health Institute