Hormonal contraception prescribing by pharmacists: 2019 update

Abstract

Objectives: Empowering pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives could help alleviate barriers such as the accessibility of medical centers and the availability, inconvenience, and cost of appointments. Several states have enacted legislation authorizing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. This manuscript provides an overview of each of the states' laws and highlights differences among the states. The objectives of this study were to (1) list the states in which pharmacists currently have the authority to prescribe contraceptives and (2) compare the differences among those states.

Data sources: The authors assembled state statutes and regulations on pharmacist prescribing of contraceptives and conducted a literature review for research on pharmacist prescribing of contraceptives using PubMed.

Summary: Nine states, plus the District of Columbia, authorize pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives autonomously under a statewide authority, and each state differs in their policy.

Conclusion: For pharmacists to take full advantage of this opportunity and to expand their clinical role, the quality, consistency, and sustainability of these initiatives must be assessed.