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. 2021 Dec 1;138(6):871-877.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004594.

Accessibility of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives in Utah

Brianna M Magnusson  1 , Sarah R Christensen, Ashley B Tanner, J B Eyring, Emily B Pilling, Chantel D Sloan-Aagard
Affiliations

Accessibility of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives in Utah

Brianna M Magnusson et al. Obstet Gynecol. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess pharmacy participation in and accessibility of pharmacist-prescribed contraception after legislation effective in the state of Utah in 2019.

Methods: A secret-shopper telephone survey was used to assess participation in pharmacist-prescribed contraception. Geospatial analysis was used to map the distribution of participating pharmacies by population characteristics.

Results: Of all operating Class A retail pharmacies in Utah, 127 (27%) were providing pharmacist-prescribed contraception 1 year after implementation of the Utah standing order. Oral contraceptive pills were widely accessible (100%); however, other allowed methods were not (vaginal ring 14%; contraceptive patch 2%). Consultation fees and medication costs varied widely. Participating pharmacies were mainly concentrated in population centers. Assuming access to a personal vehicle, urban areas with a high percentage of Hispanic people (Utah's largest minority race or ethnicity group) have access to a participating pharmacy within a 20-minute driving distance. However, access in rural areas with a high percentage Hispanic or other minority were limited. We identified 235 (40%) census tracts with a high proportion of Utah's residents living below the poverty line or of minority race or ethnicity who also had low access to pharmacist-prescribed contraception.

Conclusions: Although the pharmacy-based model is intended to increase access to contraception, practical availability 1 year after the authorization of pharmacist-prescribed contraception in Utah suggests that this service does not adequately serve rural areas, particularly rural areas with a high proportion of minorities and those living below the federal poverty line.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial Disclosure The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Flowchart for pharmacy sampling and participation.
Magnusson. Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives in Utah. Obstet Gynecol 2021.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. Census tracts (n=235) that were in the lower participating pharmacy density group and were in the top quartile for percentages of one of Utah's marginalized groups (minority race or ethnicity, percentage of females without health insurance, and percent below the poverty line). Map created with ESRI 2021. ArcGIS Pro: Release 2.8.2. Data from State of Utah, Utah Automated Graphic Reference Center. Available at: https://gis.utah.gov/and United States Census Bureau. American Community Survey 2018 5-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample File. Washington, DC. Accessed at: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/microdata/access.2018.html.
Magnusson. Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives in Utah. Obstet Gynecol 2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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