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Pharmacists CARE Initiative

About the Pharmacists CARE Initiative

The Pharmacists CARE Initiative had a successful launch at Western Pharmacy Exchange in April 2024. We had an amazing turnout of over 130 pharmacists who received training on medication abortion and pharmacy certification. If you missed the presentation, our home-study program is available!

Birth Control Pharmacist in partnership with the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and the CPhA Foundation is proud to announce the Pharmacists Comprehensive Abortion and Reproductive Health Empowerment (Pharmacists CARE) Initiative to expand medication abortion and comprehensive reproductive health services in California and beyond. This includes the development of a training program and implementation package for pharmacies to become certified to dispense abortion medications and provide the full range of reproductive health services.

Medication Abortion Training Program

As of January 2023, mifepristone may be dispensed by certified pharmacies for prescriptions issued by certified prescribers under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Additional training will allow pharmacists to obtain certification and deliver this service safely and effectively. The goal of this program is to prepare pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to participate in patient-centered medication abortion care. In addition, this program will prepare pharmacies to obtain certification to dispense mifepristone, in accordance with the FDA Mifepristone REMS program.

Home-study course is available now. Stay tuned for future live training opportunities.

Pharmacy Mini-Grants

Select California pharmacies will receive a $2,000 mini-grant to cover time to complete training, obtain certification, and establish services in the pharmacy. The CPhA Foundation is offering these grants to empower pharmacies in expanding access to safe and effective medication abortion services across California communities.

Apply for a $2,000 Mini-Grant

Pharmacy Mini-Grant FAQs

Is this mini-grant for pharmacists to prescribe medication abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol)?

No. The goal of this mini-grant is to expand medication abortion dispensing in California pharmacies. If awarded, pharmacies will be expected to obtain certification to dispense mifepristone when presented with a prescription from a physician, nurse practitioner, or other provider. We will walk you through this process in the Medication Abortion Care at the Pharmacy training.

Does dispensing mifepristone or misoprostol increase legal risk for pharmacists?

California has passed many laws that strengthen protections for patients and providers, including patients traveling from other states and seeking abortion care. You can find more information here.

Is the mini-grant for an individual pharmacist or a pharmacy site?

This mini-grant is awarded to the pharmacy site, not an individual pharmacist. Each pharmacy location can receive only one $2,000 mini-grant.

I own a pharmacy with multiple locations. Can I apply for a mini-grant for each location?

Yes! Each pharmacy location can apply for a mini-grant. You will need to provide the name of a different pharmacist for each location who will complete the training.

Do I need to be a member of CPhA to apply for this mini-grant?

No, any independent pharmacy located in California and serving Medi-Cal patients is eligible to apply for this mini-grant.

Will the demographics of my pharmacy’s patient population factor in to evaluation for the mini-grant award?

No, the demographics of your pharmacy’s patient population will not factor in to whether your pharmacy is awarded the mini-grant.

What steps do I need to complete to receive a mini-grant?

1 ) Submit the complete mini-grant application.

2 ) Complete the 1 hour Medication Abortion Care at the Pharmacy training provided by Birth Control Pharmacist.

3 ) Apply to become certified to dispense mifepristone through the FDA REMS program.

4 ) Be prepared to dispense mifepristone and misoprostol in your pharmacy.

5 ) Receive your grant funding!

When will I hear back if my application is approved?

Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You will receive an initial confirmation of the application being received, and staff will contact you to verify information as needed. Approvals are contingent on all information being validated and may take up to 3 months.

When will my pharmacy receive funds?

Funding is processed on a quarterly basis in March, June, September, and December. Once all required documentation and proof has been received, funds will be processed in the corresponding processing month.

What will my pharmacy receive if awarded the mini-grant?

Your pharmacy will receive a $2,000 check and an implementation toolkit including a certification checklist, mifepristone dispensing checklist, patient education cards, patient fact sheets, and more.

How are these mini-grants funded?

These mini-grants are funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information and facilitated by the CPhA Foundation

How will patients and providers know that my pharmacy dispenses mifepristone?

Our medication abortion pharmacy directory is coming soon! You can also use our provider letter template to inform local providers that your pharmacy can dispense mifepristone and misoprostol.

Office Hours

We will be holding virtual office hours to provide any additional information regarding the Pharmacists CARE Initiative, provide implementation support, and answer any questions you may have about the grant application. This is an excellent opportunity to get detailed insights and clarify any questions you might have about the process. Details on the next virtual office hours event will be posted here.

Implementation Package

To help you deliver medication abortion care, we have created and curated the following regulatory guidance, training materials, and clinical resources, including:

Pharmacy Certification Checklist
Mifepristone Dispensing Checklist
Mifepristone Reporting Guide
Provider Letter Template
Medication Abortion Patient Counseling Checklist
Medication Abortion Patient Fact Sheet
Medication Abortion Patient Education Card

Download the Implementation Package

Get updates about the Pharmacists CARE Initiative

Testimonials: Medication Abortion Care at the Pharmacy

It opens a lot of doors for our pharmacy to gain REMS certification for dispensing mifepristone.

Pharmacist

California

The knowledge will help me help and understand patients and provide them with access to services.