Over-The-Counter Availability of Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception in Pharmacies on Oahu.

ABSTRACT: Since the United States Food and Drug Administration's approval of over-the-counter levonorgestrel emergency contraception, access to this time-sensitive medication has improved. However, multiple barriers, including the cost of the medication and pharmacy availability, still exist. The objective of this study was to determine the over-the-counter availability of levonorgestrel emergency contraception in pharmacies on Oahu, Hawaii. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study using in-person simulated patient encounters at all pharmacies on Oahu. Out of 109 chain pharmacies and 13 independent pharmacies, 102 (84%) pharmacies had levonorgestrel emergency contraception available over the counter. Of pharmacies in which it was available, 12.7% required an employee to unlock the medic

SUBMITTER: Chin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7151709 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature