Emergency contraception availability in New Mexico: impact of direct pharmacy access.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of direct pharmacy access to emergency contraception (EC) and availability of EC in Albuquerque and rural New Mexico and to compare availability of EC in Albuquerque with that estimated in a 2002 study.


METHODS
Investigational study.


METHODS
Albuquerque and rural New Mexico, between March and September 2005.


METHODS
121 community pharmacies (94 in Albuquerque and 27 in rural New Mexico).


METHODS
Research assistants visited pharmacies and followed a predetermined script during interviews with pharmacy staff.


METHODS
Availability of EC with and without an advance prescription; other factors related to EC access.


RESULTS
EC was available in 50% of both Albuquerque and rural pharmacies. EC was available without an advance prescription in 13% of pharmacies. The medication was more likely to be in stock at pharmacies with an EC-certified pharmacist on staff (92%) than in those without an EC-certified pharmacist (39%) (P < 0.001). A study performed in 2002 reported that EC was in stock during 11% of visits to Albuquerque pharmacies, whereas the current study reported EC being available during 50% of visits.


CONCLUSIONS
At the time of this study, EC availability was similar in both Albuquerque and rural New Mexico pharmacies, and pharmacies with trained pharmacists on staff were more likely to stock EC medications.
Ogburn
Joseph A Tony
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. jogburn@salud.unm.edu
Espey
Eve
E
Benjamin
Alana
A
D002568:Certification; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009516:New Mexico; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital