Accessibility of oral emergency contraceptives in Australian community pharmacies

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the availability and accessibility of over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pills in the Australian community pharmacy setting. Study DesignRepresentative national telephone survey. ResultsOnly 70% of the 233 pharmacies surveyed stocked ulipristal acetate emergency contraceptive pills, compared to levonorgestrel which was stocked in 98%. When ulipristal acetate was stocked, it was on average $13 more expensive than levonorgestrel. DiscussionDespite guidelines recommending it as the first line oral emergency contraceptive, ulipristal acetate is less likely to be available in community pharmacies, and when it is available it is likely to be more expensive. These findings support anecdotal reports that it can be challenging to access ulipristal acetate, and that it is less commonly used.