Sri Lanka: the impact of allowing paramedical prescription and resupply of oral contraceptives.
The 1968 decision of the Sir Lanka Ministry of Health to allow paramedical distribution of oral conctraceptives at a reduced price greatly expanded availability. Available data on the immediate effects of this policy indicate that oral contraceptive acceptors increased significantly and there was no reduction in the number of other contraceptive acceptors. A policy decision on nonclinical distribution must be implemented rigorously by adequate training of distributors, by ensuring adequate supplies, by assigning importance and responsiblity for this activity to the paramedics, and by educating and motivating acceptors.
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007214:Indonesia; D008880:Midwifery; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010679:Philippines; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive; D013785:Thailand
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral