Pharmacy access to ulipristal acetate in Hawaii: is a prescription enough?

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• 作者：Holly Bullock ; ^{bullockh@hawaii.edu" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Sarah Steele ; Nicole Kurata ; Mary Tschann¹ ; Jennifer Elia ; Bliss Kaneshiro¹ ; Jennifer Salcedo¹
• 关键词：Ulipristal acetate ; Emergency contraception ; Pharmacies ; Availability ; United States ; Hawaii
• 刊名：Contraception
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：May 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：93
• 期：5
• 页码：452-454
• 全文大小：250 K

文摘

To determine pharmacy availability of ulipristal acetate (UPA) and compare to availability of levonorgestrel-containing emergency contraceptive pills (LNG-ECPs).

Methods

We conducted an observational population-based study utilizing a telephone-based secret shopper methodology. Researchers called all 198 unique retail pharmacies in Hawaii on December 2013–June 2014, representing themselves as patients and physicians.

Results

Only 2.6% of pharmacies had UPA immediately available, though 22.8% reported ability to order UPA. In contrast, 82.4% reported immediate availability of LNG-ECPs. No significant difference in availability was reported to patients and physicians.

Conclusions

Availability of UPA is limited and significantly lower compared to LNG-ECPs. The study period did overlap with a change in distributor for UPA, likely capturing some disruption of the supply chain.

Implications

Systems-based interventions are needed to address barriers to obtaining UPA.