Barriers to Single-Dose Levonorgestrel-Only Emergency Contraception Access in Retail Pharmacies

Womens Health Issues. 2017 Sep-Oct;27(5):518-522. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2017.03.010. Epub 2017 Apr 23.

Abstract

Objectives: In February 2014, the Food and Drug Administration updated its regulations to make all single-dose levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception (LNG-EC) available over the counter. This study examines the availability and access to LNG-EC shortly after this policy change, and any additional barriers to obtaining LNG-EC in Colorado retail pharmacies.

Study design: From June to July 2014, three female interviewers posing as women seeking LNG-EC conducted a telephone survey of all 633 Colorado retail pharmacies listed in The Little Blue Book (2014) phone directory. Completely accessible was defined as LNG-EC available on store shelves for purchase without presentation of an ID or prescription on the day of the call.

Results: Of 633 pharmacies analyzed, 85.0% (538/633) were in urban settings and 85.3% (540/633) were chain stores. Eighteen of 64 (28.1%) counties in Colorado did not have a pharmacy listed in the phone directory. Overall, 86.9% of pharmacies (550/633) had EC in stock on the day of contact but only 23.2% (147/633) of these had EC completely accessible. Of pharmacies with EC in stock, 41.6% (229/550) kept it behind the counter and 56.0% (308/550) required additional documentation to purchase. In stock and completely accessible rates were not different across rural, urban, and frontier geographic regions within the state (p = .066 and p = .905, respectively), but were significantly different across independent, chain, and 24-hour type stores (p < .001 and p = .008, respectively). In stock rates were 57.5% (42/73), 90.4% (488/540), and 100% (20/20) for independent, chain, and 24-hour stores respectively.

Conclusions: Rates of completely accessible LNG-EC are low in Colorado despite high rates of availability. Behind-the-counter status and proof-of-age requirements are identified as the main sources of access restriction in Colorado.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Colorado
  • Contraception, Postcoital* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Levonorgestrel / supply & distribution*
  • Nonprescription Drugs / supply & distribution*
  • Pharmacies*
  • Pharmacists*
  • Rural Population
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Levonorgestrel