Building a Coalition for Emergency Contraception Advocacy: Lessons Learned from the California EC Network

As the first state to pass legislation to allow pharmacists to provide EC without an advance prescription, California has been a leader in the national EC advocacy movement. The California Emergency Contraception (EC) Network is a coalition of over 50 organizations statewide, including universities, government agencies, advocacy organizations, public health professionals and service providers, dedicated to increasing EC awareness and access. Since the inception of the CA EC Network in May 2006, the coalition has developed a strategic plan to better meet California women's EC needs and a structure within which to do so. Pharmacy Access Partnership and the California Family Health Council are founding members of the CA EC Network; Pharmacy Access Partnership currently serves as the Network coordinator.

Following the August 2006 FDA decision to make Plan B EC available over the counter (OTC) to consumers 18 and older, the landscape for EC provision and access changed over a short period of time. The CA EC Network shifted its focus accordingly to adapt to the new EC OTC environment, and remains committed to meeting the EC needs of all Californian women, regardless of age or economic status. Through various local, state and national collaborative partnerships, member organizations work to reduce barriers to EC access for teens and low-income women through policy and programmatic initiatives. In addition, the CA EC Network has leveraged mass media outlets to promote broader EC awareness statewide. Ongoing initiatives and lessons learned will be shared to enable other states to replicate this model.