Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study
Although levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive pills (LNg-ECPs) have been available over the counter in Canada for more than a decade, barriers to access persist. We aimed to obtain information about the availability and cost of LNg-ECPs in New Brunswick. Using a mystery-client study design, w...
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doaj-4d1a67d911f4454e8f7ac724d834fed32020-11-25T02:26:29ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872020-04-018767610.3390/pharmacy8020076Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone StudyMadison Borsella0Angel M. Foster1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaAlthough levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive pills (LNg-ECPs) have been available over the counter in Canada for more than a decade, barriers to access persist. We aimed to obtain information about the availability and cost of LNg-ECPs in New Brunswick. Using a mystery-client study design, we called all 207 non-specialty pharmacies in the province posing as a 17-year-old woman seeking something to prevent pregnancy after sex. We evaluated the information provided for accuracy and quality. The overwhelming majority of pharmacies (n = 180, 87%) had at least one brand of LNg-ECPs in stock; the price averaged CAD28.69 (USD21.65). Although the majority of pharmacy representatives provided accurate information about LNg-ECPs, a small number made incorrect statements about the timeframe for use, side effects, and mechanism of action. In nine interactions (4%) pharmacy representatives incorrectly indicated that a male partner could not obtain LNg-ECPs; none indicated that parental involvement was required to procure LNg-ECPs. None of the pharmacy representatives referenced any other modality of emergency contraception, including ulipristal acetate. Our findings suggest that LNg-ECPs are widely available and that most pharmacy representatives are providing accurate medical and regulatory information. However, supporting the continuing education of pharmacists and pharmacy staff, particularly around alternative modalities of emergency contraception, appears warranted.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/8/2/76Canadaemergency contraceptionmystery-clientNew Brunswick |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Madison Borsella Angel M. Foster |
spellingShingle |
Madison Borsella Angel M. Foster Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study Pharmacy Canada emergency contraception mystery-client New Brunswick |
author_facet |
Madison Borsella Angel M. Foster |
author_sort |
Madison Borsella |
title |
Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study |
title_short |
Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study |
title_full |
Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study |
title_fullStr |
Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Exploring the Availability of Emergency Contraception in New Brunswick Pharmacies: A Mystery-Client Telephone Study |
title_sort |
exploring the availability of emergency contraception in new brunswick pharmacies: a mystery-client telephone study |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Pharmacy |
issn |
2226-4787 |
publishDate |
2020-04-01 |
description |
Although levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive pills (LNg-ECPs) have been available over the counter in Canada for more than a decade, barriers to access persist. We aimed to obtain information about the availability and cost of LNg-ECPs in New Brunswick. Using a mystery-client study design, we called all 207 non-specialty pharmacies in the province posing as a 17-year-old woman seeking something to prevent pregnancy after sex. We evaluated the information provided for accuracy and quality. The overwhelming majority of pharmacies (n = 180, 87%) had at least one brand of LNg-ECPs in stock; the price averaged CAD28.69 (USD21.65). Although the majority of pharmacy representatives provided accurate information about LNg-ECPs, a small number made incorrect statements about the timeframe for use, side effects, and mechanism of action. In nine interactions (4%) pharmacy representatives incorrectly indicated that a male partner could not obtain LNg-ECPs; none indicated that parental involvement was required to procure LNg-ECPs. None of the pharmacy representatives referenced any other modality of emergency contraception, including ulipristal acetate. Our findings suggest that LNg-ECPs are widely available and that most pharmacy representatives are providing accurate medical and regulatory information. However, supporting the continuing education of pharmacists and pharmacy staff, particularly around alternative modalities of emergency contraception, appears warranted. |
topic |
Canada emergency contraception mystery-client New Brunswick |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/8/2/76 |
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AT madisonborsella exploringtheavailabilityofemergencycontraceptioninnewbrunswickpharmaciesamysteryclienttelephonestudy AT angelmfoster exploringtheavailabilityofemergencycontraceptioninnewbrunswickpharmaciesamysteryclienttelephonestudy |
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