[Providing emergency contraceptive pills in pharmacies].
OBJECTIVE
Use of the levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC) pill has become more common after being made formally available in pharmacies without prescription. It was investigated how pharmacists in the capital area of Reykjavik supply EC to clients.


METHODS
A total of 46 pharmacists of all working ages and both genders were asked to answer a questionnaire concerning how they sold the emergency contraception pill over the counter (84.8% reply rate).


RESULTS
Four of five used <5 minutes to discuss emergency contraception with the client, but almost all enquired about time from intercourse. While only 20% asked about the woman s health, most considered concomitant drug use and potential interaction with levonorgestrel. Only about 50% pointed out that EC did not protect against sexually transmitted disease, (3/4) pointed out the need for permanent contraceptive use, 95% asked about previous EC use, but only 30% would provide EC again in the same menstrual cycle. One half of the pharmacists sold EC to men/teenage boys and wished to assist them with taking responsibility, while the others only sold the drug to the woman. Of those prepared to give the drug to the men, 55% asked to speak over the telephone with the woman to ensure correct prescription and information. Nearly a third would never or rarely provide consultation in private.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists agree mostly about main points in supplying EC, but not as regards provision to women through their male partners. Provisons for consultation can be improved.
Lyfjafraedideild Hí, Haga, Reykjavik.
Margrét Lilja
ML
Heidarsdóttir
Anna Birna
AB
Almarsdóttir
Reynir Tómas
RT
Geirsson
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D016912:Levonorgestrel