Availability of Ulipristal Acetate and the Impact of a Brief Educational Intervention at Retail Pharmacies [07I

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A Colorado study in 2014 determined levonorgestrel (LNG) emergency contraception (EC) to be completely accessible in 23% of pharmacies. No study has evaluated the availability of ulipristal acetate (UPA), which is a more effective form of EC, available by prescription in Denver. The goal was to assess availability of UPA EC, ability of pharmacy staff to answer questions about it, and determine if the American Society of Emergency Contraception (ASEC) educational tool was perceived as useful. METHODS: 134 retail pharmacies within 10-mile radius of the state capitol were included: one-half were randomized to receive the ASEC handout. Three pharmacies subsequently merged. (N=131) All pharmacies received a standard mystery call two weeks after the intervention mailing. The pharmacies receiving the handout received additional calls one and 9 weeks after the original call, to assess handout usefulness and were asked about the intervention tool. RESULTS: UPA EC was reportedly available in only 24, or 18.3%, of pharmacies. 36.4% of pharmacy staff members counseled that there was no difference between UPA and LNG EC. Only 18.6% of pharmacy staff seemed aware of the higher efficacy of UPA. Few pharmacy staff recalled seeing the ASEC handout: 13/65 (20%) at one week and 3/65 (4.6%) at nine weeks. One site reported that the handout was posted. CONCLUSION: Although UPA is available by prescription (therefore covered under the Affordable Care Act) and has a higher efficacy than LNG EC, it is not readily available. A single educational intervention did not have lasting value to pharmacists.