Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108733

Tony Ogburn, MD, Department of OB/Gyn, University of New Mexico, MSC 10 5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, 505-272-6383, jogburn@salud.unm.edu, Eve Espey, MD, MPH, Department of OB-GYN - 4ACC, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, and Alana Benjamin, BA, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, 2726 Santa Monica Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.

Introduction: Emergency contraception (EC) could prevent a significant number of the unintended pregnancies in the United States. Studies have shown that there are many barriers to EC including lack of availability in pharmacies. A previous study found that EC was immediately available in 11% of pharmacy visits in New Mexico. New Mexico is one of six states now allowing pharmacist prescribing of EC. The purpose of this study is to assess the availability of EC in pharmacies in New Mexico and the impact of pharmacist dispensing on availability. Methods: All pharmacies in Albuquerque (n=125) as well as a sample of rural pharmacies (n=20) were identified using an Internet search engine and a list of pharmacies from the NM Pharmacy Association. A research assistant role-playing a patient seeking EC without a prescription will visit all pharmacies. If EC is not available without a prescription she will then determine if it would be available with one. Availability with and without a prescription, cost, helpfulness of the pharmacist, and availability by day of week, will be reported. Results: One fourth of pharmacies have been visited with all expected to be visited by April 2005. Preliminary results show that approximately 75% of pharmacies have EC in stock though only 15% had a trained pharmacist on duty to dispense it without a prescription. Conclusion: Availability of EC in pharmacies has improved dramatically in New Mexico, likely due to pharmacist dispensing. Efforts should be focused on increasing the number of pharmacists trained to prescribe EC.

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

• Discuss the availability of emergency contraception in New Mexico
• Describe the impact of pharmacist dispensing on availability of emergency contraception
• List the barriers to availability of emergency contraception

Keywords: Access, Contraception

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.