204421 Unlocking the Condoms: A Study of Increasing Contraceptive Access in Pharmacy

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 1:10 PM

Daniel Ashwood, BA , Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Karen B. Farris, PhD , Division of Clinical and Administrative pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Shelly Campo, PhD , Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
Mary L. Aquilino, MSN, PhD, FNP , College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Mary E. Losch, PhD , Center for Social & Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Introduction: Community pharmacies may place condoms in locked cases or behind glass, thereby reducing access and consequent use. Theft is the primary motivating factor for this practice.

Objective: Quantify theft and sales after unlocking condom displays in grocery pharmacies in southeastern Iowa.

Methods: Design. Condom displays were unlocked in selected pharmacies for 3 months, and pharmacies were reimbursed for theft. Subjects. Eight of eighteen grocery pharmacies in southeastern Iowa agreed to participate. Data Collection: Data were obtained through the stores' computerized inventory systems. Stores provided inventory at baseline and sales or theft thereafter in monthly reports. Theft was defined as the difference between inventory at the end of each month and (beginning monthly baseline + purchases – sales). Sales data is also being collected from 3 months previous to unlocking the condoms for comparison. Data Analysis. Descriptive statistics quantified theft and sales. The number of pharmacies leaving condoms unlocked after the study was determined.

Results: Eight pharmacies unlocked their condom displays or moved the condoms to an open location, and a total of 160 units of 1090 in inventory were stolen over 3 months from 7 pharmacies. Theft varied by store and ranged from an average of 1.33 per month to 27.33 per month. All but one store experienced some increase in sales. Two pharmacies thus far have decided to re-lock their displays, yet only one location indicated theft as the reason.

Conclusion: More condoms left the pharmacies after unlocking them. The amount of theft was lower than pharmacy personnel expected.

Learning Objectives:
Assess theft and sales after unlocking condom displays in grocery pharmacies in southeastern Iowa.

Keywords: Pharmacies, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year graduate student in the Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics at the University of Iowa and have had experience presenting my research at other national conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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