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Meet Slynd: A Novel Progestin-Only Pill
What’s this new pill? Slynd® is the new progestin-only oral contraceptive approved by the FDA in May 2019. This novel progestin-only pill (POP) contains drospirenone 4 mg in each active tablet, which is a higher dose than what is found in drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Table 1. Products with drospirenone. Product Name Medication Doses…
New APhA-ASP Women’s Health Campaign
New APhA-ASP Women’s Health Campaign Kick Off Event at University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
Interactions Between Emergency Contraception and Other Hormonal Contraceptives
The American Society for Emergency Contraception (ASEC) recently held their annual EC Jamboree in Washington, DC. Participants included health care providers, researchers, reproductive health advocates, and pharmaceutical stakeholders. One highlight was the key clinical discussions centered on drug interactions between emergency and other hormonal contraceptives, including ulipristal acetate (ella, Afaxys Pharma). A selective progesterone receptor…
5 Pearls from the States Forum on Pharmacist Birth Control Services
The inaugural States Forum on Pharmacist Birth Control Services was recently held in conjunction with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) 2019 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. This session was hosted by Birth Control Pharmacist. Most states were represented at the forum with over 60 participants, and there was meaningful discussion on how to make this service not only…
Payment for Pharmacist Services in California
As of April 2019, California’s State Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, is providing payment for selected pharmacist services. This change is due to legislation (California Assembly Bill 1114) that was passed in 2016. What is covered? Pharmacist services are benefits for eligible fee-for-service Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The following pharmacist services are now covered: Hormonal contraception Immunizations Tobacco cessation…
Contraception Options at Midlife
As a pharmacist, you’ve probably been asked “until what age should I use birth control?” Regardless of age, women have reproductive potential until they have reached menopause. Therefore, to prevent unplanned pregnancies, it is important to continue using contraception until menopause.
FDA Updates on Birth Control
There have been some notable changes with birth control products, including three new product approvals and one product exiting the market.
5 Things Pharmacists Need to Know About Preconception Health
Pharmacists have great potential to improve preconception health. As they become increasingly aware and involved in providing preconception care, pharmacists can help close the gaps in such care by being advocates for the expansion of their role in preconception health. Here are 5 things pharmacists should know about preconception health: 1. We have a big…
Pharmacists Provide Contraception for Zika Preparedness
A recent CDC report highlighted that Zika infections are of increasing concern, particularly in the summer travel months. To allow women and families to plan childbearing in the face of this threat, access to contraception is critical. One evidence-based strategy to increase access to contraception in the United States is pharmacist prescribing, wherein patients can go directly to a…
Responding to Patient Questions About Taking the Wrong Pill in the Pack
We want you to be prepared to answer your patient questions. One common mishap that may lead patients to call or consult with you is what to do if the wrong day’s pill is taken on accident? Before you can answer this question, you need to know what birth control pill formulation the patient is…
Can the NuvaRing be used for 4 weeks instead of the usual 3 weeks?
NuvaRing was named one of the best healthcare inventions of the year by TIME Magazine in 2001. It was a new birth control option that allowed women to avoid taking daily pills, receiving injections, or inserting a hormonal implant. The first contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) approved in the U.S., NuvaRing is a flexible, self-administered, transparent…
Thanks, Birth Control Day
Join The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Bedsider, and me in saying, “Thanks, Birth Control” today! Birth control is a wonderful tool that helps us help our patients with family planning and other health issues. All the reasons I️ say “thanks, birth control” on this day every year: Thanks for fewer unplanned…
How to Set Your Birth Control Formulary and Inventory Levels
Inventory management can either make or break a pharmacy or clinic. It’s one of those things that you absolutely must keep a close eye on. Otherwise, things can go from good to bad and bad to worse very quickly. For the patient, their most basic expectation is to walk into the pharmacy with their shiny,…
More Birth Control Supplies Leads to Longer Use
More frequent trips to the pharmacy to pick up refills are bad for patients when it comes to birth control. Studies have shown that when patients are given more supplies at a time, they stick to their birth control method for longer and have fewer unintended pregnancies. Pharmacists are used to the barriers imposed by…
Colorado is Third State Allowing Pharmacists to Prescribe Birth Control
More good news about access to birth control is coming from the state level. Colorado has passed legislation authorizing pharmacists to prescribe birth control after obtaining additional training. They are the third state to follow California and Oregon with this statewide authority specific to birth control. There is a task force that is charged with…
An OTC Birth Control Pill Could Become a Reality
An over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill is finally on the horizon. HRA Pharma, a French pharmaceutical company, has recently formed a partnership with the nonprofit research organization Ibis Reproductive Health to conduct the research needed to prepare and submit a new drug application for an OTC progestin-only pill to the FDA. While the approval may…
MPR Ask the Experts Interview
A few months ago, I was interviewed by the team at Monthly Prescribing Reference (MPR) regarding pharmacist prescribing of oral contraceptives. The newsletter has just been published and I want to share with you all as it is a great reference if you are interested in prescribing oral contraceptives. In the 16-page newsletter dedicated to this…
CDC Updates Guidelines for Contraceptive Use
The CDC has just released the second editions of both guidelines related to contraception. The 2016 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (U.S. MEC) comprises recommendations for the use of specific contraceptive methods by women and men who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. The information in this report updates the 2010 U.S. MEC.…
Birth Control and Population Issues
With more women and men empowered to control their fertility with planning and birth control use, some populations are seeing drops in childbearing. Some countries are concerned about population declines and are promoting childbearing. The “baby bonus” programs of Australia and Singapore may ring a bell. Other countries are considering policies that restrict access to reproductive health services,…
Women’s Life Plans Have Changed
The average American woman’s life plan has changed drastically over the last few decades. It’s no longer start having sex, get married, and have a kid…all within 4 years. It’s now start having sex…continue having sex for about 9 years…then get married and have a kid in the year after that. This means young women…
Other Uses for The Pill
While millions of women use birth control pills for pregnancy prevention, more than 1.5 million women (that’s 14% of pill users) are using it solely for another heath reason. Many women using the pills for birth control also rely on the pills for other purposes, mainly menstrual cramps/pain, menstrual regulation, and acne. Some pill users are…