Background:
The pharmacist’s role in dispensing emergency contraception (EC)
has become controversial due to the intersection of personal and
professional ethics. Therefore, to examine the issue of EC availability,
we surveyed a sample of West Texas pharmacists. West Texas is
a religiously and politically conservative region where no methods
of EC have been made available.
Objective: to survey a sample of pharmacists in West Texas about
their experience, beliefs, and knowledge of EC both before and
after a presentation of the current literature about EC.
Methods: We asked a convenience sample of 75 pharmacists about
their experience, beliefs, and knowledge of EC both before and
after a presentation of the current literature about EC.
Results: Sixty-four (85%) pharmacists agreed to complete the study
questionnaire. None carries EC in his/her pharmacy, and scientific
understanding of EC was generally poor. Fourteen percent stated
EC conflicts with their religious views, 17% considered it a method
of abortion, 11% would not be willing to fill an EC prescription
written by a doctor. 58% would be willing to offer EC over the
counter. The presentation encouraged more to offer it over the
counter, but in general did not significantly change their beliefs.
Conclusion: Our sample of West Texas pharmacists demonstrated
very little experience with, a general lack of knowledge about,
and some personal and religious objections to EC.
Keywords:
Contraception,
Postcoital. Pharmacists. Ethics, Pharmacy. United States.
