Using Pharmacies in Washington State to Expand Access to Emergency Contraception

Abstract

The authors describe preliminary results from a 2-year demonstration project launched in July 1997 in Washington State to expand access to emergency contraceptive pills by promoting collaboration between pharmacists and independent prescribers in providing emergency contraception (EC). The project was undertaken to improve women's awareness and use of emergency contraception by using pharmacists to increase the availability of such contraceptive products. The authors also discuss the impact that the pills is having upon access to emergency contraception, and therefore the potential impact of the program upon rates of unintended pregnancy. Key components of the project include teaching pharmacists about emergency contraception, helping them link up with prescribers, informing women about the availability of emergency contraception, and evaluating the impact of the project. In the 4 months following the project's launch, the national emergency contraception hotline received 4934 calls from Washington State. Before the launch, the hotline averaged 100 calls per month from the state. Over the same period, area pharmacists at 111 participating pharmacies wrote and filled 2765 prescriptions for emergency contraception. The preliminary response to the project has been extremely positive.