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

Abstract #116476

Sharon Cohen, MPH¹, Frances Chung¹, Nicole Monastersky, MPH¹, Diana Greene Foster, PhD², and Nancy Kim¹. (1) Pharmacy Access Partnership, Public Health Institute, 614 Grand Avenue, Suite 324, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-272-0150, nmonastersky@phi.org, (2) Center for Reproductive Health Research & Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 2356 Sutter Street, Suite 200, UCSF Box 1744, San Francisco, CA 94143-1744

National population-based surveys capture few women who report using EC and, therefore, do not permit analysis of user demographics. Women in six states are able to access EC in pharmacies without first having to get a prescription from their doctor. Even in those states, little is known about the women who use EC and their experience accessing it. In summer 2004, 426 women seeking EC in both urban and rural/remote pharmacies in California completed an anonymous questionnaire evaluating their experience getting EC at the pharmacy. This research study, the first of its kind, describes the experiences of women accessing EC directly in pharmacies and women who have a prescription. The characteristics of users, reasons for requesting EC, repeat use, and time elapsed before getting EC after unprotected intercourse are examined specifically as they relate to reported barriers to access. Women also evaluate their experience with the pharmacist. This data is contextualized with information collected in December 2004, surveying a random sample of 931 retail pharmacies in 15 California counties. Pharmacists reveal the number of EC clients they see (direct access or prescriptions) per week and if they do not provide EC pharmacy access, their reasons. Results offer useful information to guide outreach and education efforts about EC access for both consumers and professionals. This data is especially relevant in policy discussions as states introduce pharmacy access legislation in the absence of a FDA decision to make EC over the counter.

Learning Objectives:

At session’s end, participants will be able to (
• describe characteristics of women who access EC in pharmacies, (
• describe the obstacles women face in getting EC and their reasons for choosing pharmacy access, and (
• understand reasons pharmacists are choosing not to provide direct pharmacy access to EC.

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 commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF I am an employee of the Pharmacy Access Partnership.