Recorded presentation

Sharon Cohen, MPH¹, Belle Taylor-McGhee¹, and Molly Tapias². (1) Pharmacy Access Partnership, Public Health Institute, 614 Grand Avenue, Suite 324, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-272-0150, nkim@phi.org, (2) Institute for Personality and Social Research, UC Berkeley, 4143 Tolman MC 5050, Berkeley, CA 94720-5050

With their easy accessibility and expanded hours of operation, direct pharmacy access to hormonal contraceptive methods could substantially expand women’s access to, and use of, these methods. Studies show these methods meet the criteria for over-the-counter (OTC) status: they pose no known health risks, have only minor side effects, and can be used without medical supervision. A 2004 national survey of potential and current contraceptive users examined attitudes toward OTC access in pharmacies to hormonal contraception. The nationally representative random-sample telephone survey included 800 sexually active women aged 18-44, who were not sterile, pregnant, postpartum or trying to get pregnant. Women shared information about their contraceptive experiences, including factors leading to choice of contraceptive and current access to methods. Participants also indicated their support for making hormonal contraception available directly from pharmacies, whether they would be more likely to use these methods if they were OTC, and whether they agree with potential concerns about making these methods available without visiting a clinic/physician (such as teen access or use of emergency contraception in lieu of more effective contraception). Additionally, the study compares responses from younger and older women, uninsured versus insured, current and potential users, and women living in different regions of the country.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

At the session’s end, participants will be able to
• Understand consumer readiness for direct pharmacy access to hormonal contraception and implications for policy change
• Understand key factors driving consumers in making contraceptive decisions.

Keywords: Access and Services, Contraceptives

Related Web page: www.pharmacyaccess.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pharmacy Access Partnership
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.

Recorded presentation