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Updated CDC Contraception Guidelines
On August 6, 2024, the CDC released the 2024 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (U.S. MEC) and the 2024 U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (U.S. SPR). These documents provide current evidence-based contraception recommendations for health care providers. The goals of the U.S. MEC and the U.S. SPR are to support the…
Founder Reflections on 2023
As I reflect on this past year, 2023 finally brought us some wins in reproductive health. And I personally had the opportunity to contribute to landmark steps forward. ⭐️ The FDA made long awaited changes to the mifepristone REMS program to allow pharmacies to dispense the essential medication. I was part of the research team…
Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills: FDA Considering HRA Pharma’s Opill
Why Over-the-Counter Birth Control? Oral contraceptives have been around since 1960, and their risks and safety profiles have been well-studied throughout the years. According to the Guttmacher Institute, unplanned pregnancies account for 45% of all pregnancies in the US. Furthermore, nearly one-third of individuals who have tried to obtain a prescription for hormonal contraception report…
How Pharmacy Students Can Advocate for Pharmacist Prescribing of Hormonal Contraception
Can pharmacy students advocate for pharmacists prescribing hormonal contraceptives? YES, that is exactly what Wilson Pace, a graduate of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy did. When Wilson heard about the barriers and costs that women experience when accessing contraceptives. His perseverance and dedication to advocacy as a pharmacy student allowed him to take action…
Society of Family Planning Annual Meeting Highlights
The Society of Family Planning (SFP) annual meeting was held virtually on October 1st and 2nd this year with well over one thousand attendees. For those who are not familiar with SFP, it is a community of like-minded people including clinicians, academics, residents, fellows, and students who share the same interest for family planning. SFP…
Nextstellis®: A new drug update
A new combined oral contraceptive was approved by the FDA (Nextstellis®) in April 2021.1 Nextstellis contains estetrol, an estrogen that can be manufactured from plants and that was originally derived naturally during pregnancy from the fetus liver, and drospirenone, a progestin found in other currently available contraceptives. Drospirenone has antiandrogenic and anti-mineralocorticoid activity.2 Estetrol differs…
A Primer on Reproductive Justice for Pharmacy Professionals
A pharmacy student reflects on what she learned from “Sex & Gender 101” — a gender-inclusive series designed to show learners how to take the first steps to providing care that addresses the specific needs of LGBTQI+ patients. This series includes a glossary of terms, resources for further study, and a “cheat sheet” for providers interacting with patients across the gender spectrum.
Updated Report on State Policy Efforts to Expand Access to Contraception in Pharmacies
Download free 22-page report describing the current landscape of direct access to contraception in pharmacies, state policy approaches and experiences, as well as implementation.
Sex & Gender 101
A pharmacy student reflects on what she learned from “Sex & Gender 101” — a gender-inclusive series designed to show learners how to take the first steps to providing care that addresses the specific needs of LGBTQI+ patients. This series includes a glossary of terms, resources for further study, and a “cheat sheet” for providers interacting with patients across the gender spectrum.
Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device for Emergency Contraception
A new research study evaluates levonorgestrel IUD for emergency contraception
Outreach Initiative to Expand Access to Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA)
New training program by Birth Control Pharmacist and Provide includes pharmacy best practices to combat stigma and communication guides and online resources to help connect patients with local resources.
Webinar Introduces Pharmacists to New Hormonal Contraceptives
New training program by Birth Control Pharmacist and Provide includes pharmacy best practices to combat stigma and communication guides and online resources to help connect patients with local resources.
Webinar Equips Pharmacists to Provide Contraception Care During COVID-19
New training program by Birth Control Pharmacist and Provide includes pharmacy best practices to combat stigma and communication guides and online resources to help connect patients with local resources.
Putting Policy into Practice: Contraception Care in San Francisco Pharmacies
What makes some pharmacies more successful than others at implementing pharmacist-prescribed contraception care? To answer this question, we conducted a study to determine the extent of hormonal contraceptive prescribing, also referred to as furnishing in California, among San Francisco community pharmacies, and identify the factors that led to successful implementation.
Reducing Maternal Mortality in the United States through Collaboration
New training program by Birth Control Pharmacist and Provide includes pharmacy best practices to combat stigma and communication guides and online resources to help connect patients with local resources.
New Webinar Prepares Pharmacists to Provide Reproductive Health Services and Referrals
New training program by Birth Control Pharmacist and Provide includes pharmacy best practices to combat stigma and communication guides and online resources to help connect patients with local resources.
Meet Phexxi – A New Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Gel
About the Product Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate (Phexxi, Evofem Biosciences) is a prescription combination, non-hormonal contraceptive gel approved by the FDA in May 2020. The vaginal gel was found to be 86.3% effective with typical use when inserted up to 1 hour before vaginal intercourse.1 The gel acts as a contraceptive by…
Can Contraceptives be Vegan? Important Considerations for Vegan Patients
The Vegan Society defines veganism as “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose”. Since veganism extends beyond just a diet for avoiding animal products, awareness of medication ingredients is also a…
Measuring Blood Pressure: An Important Prerequisite to Prescribing Hormonal Contraception
Why is it important to measure blood pressure before prescribing hormonal contraception? Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are a relatively safe and effective method for your patients in preventing pregnancy and treating other disease states such as menorrhagia, endometriosis, PCOS and more. However, CHCs may increase the risk for a few serious cardiovascular events. This risk…
Effectiveness of Hormonal Contraceptives in Patients with Higher Weights
Introduction Obesity is becoming more prevalent every year and as pharmacists, it is important to revisit current contraceptive options for these patients. Overweight patients are defined as having a BMI ranging from >25-29.9 kg/m2 and obese patients a BMI >30 kg/m2. Currently there are no safety contraindications in patients with a BMI > 25 kg/m2…
Continuing Contraception Care After Trump’s Orders
In light of recent actions over the last two weeks with our new administration, I wanted to provide updates and guidance to my pharmacist peers regarding reproductive health care.On Friday afternoon, some CDC websites went down as content is being reviewed for compliance with President Trump’s executive orders. Pharmacists, along with other health professionals, rely…