 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Eve Espey, MD, MPH, Department of OB-GYN - 4ACC, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 272-6309, eespey@salud.unm.edu, Joseph Anthony Ogburn, MD, Department of OB/Gyn, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Blvd. Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5286, and Deanna Howard, BA, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas NE 4-ACC, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
Background: Approximately 3 million unintended pregnancies occur annually in the United States. Emergency contraception (EC) could reduce this high number but must be available within 3 days to women who have had unprotected intercourse. Although previous studies examined women's access to prescriptions for EC, the goal of this study was to investigate whether a woman presenting to a pharmacy with a prescription for EC could get it filled. Methods: Two research assistants visited all pharmacies in Albuquerque, New Mexico (n = 89), presenting a prescription for either Plan B or Preven. The research assistants role-played a woman with recent unprotected intercourse who asked questions about the availability of EC. Chi-squares were performed to compare availability of Plan B and Preven. Results: Only 11% of visits resulted in the assistant leaving with EC. Of the pharmacies that did not stock EC, 53% could obtain Preven or Plan B within 24 hours-the rest either could or would not order it or the product would not be available for over 24 hours. The most common reason cited by pharmacies (65%) for not stocking Plan B or Preven was the lack of prescriptions received for them. Conclusions: To ensure availability of EC in pharmacies, adequate demand must be created. Educational efforts to create this demand must be targeted to both women and providers.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Contraceptives, Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.