TY - JOUR
T1 - Afgreidsla á neydargetnadarvörn í apótekum
T2 - Providing emergency contraceptive pills in pharmacies
AU - Heidarsdóttir, Margrét Lilja
AU - Almarsdóttir, Anna Birna
AU - Geirsson, Reynir Tómas
PY - 2009/5
Y1 - 2009/5
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Use of the levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC) pill has become more common after being made formally available in pharmacies without prescription. It was investigated how pharmacists in the capital area of Reykjavik supply EC to clients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 46 pharmacists of all working ages and both genders were asked to answer a questionnaire concerning how they sold the emergency contraception pill over the counter (84.8% reply rate).RESULTS: Four of five used <5 minutes to discuss emergency contraception with the client, but almost all enquired about time from intercourse. While only 20% asked about the woman s health, most considered concomitant drug use and potential interaction with levonorgestrel. Only about 50% pointed out that EC did not protect against sexually transmitted disease, (3/4) pointed out the need for permanent contraceptive use, 95% asked about previous EC use, but only 30% would provide EC again in the same menstrual cycle. One half of the pharmacists sold EC to men/teenage boys and wished to assist them with taking responsibility, while the others only sold the drug to the woman. Of those prepared to give the drug to the men, 55% asked to speak over the telephone with the woman to ensure correct prescription and information. Nearly a third would never or rarely provide consultation in private.CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists agree mostly about main points in supplying EC, but not as regards provision to women through their male partners. Provisons for consultation can be improved.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Use of the levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC) pill has become more common after being made formally available in pharmacies without prescription. It was investigated how pharmacists in the capital area of Reykjavik supply EC to clients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 46 pharmacists of all working ages and both genders were asked to answer a questionnaire concerning how they sold the emergency contraception pill over the counter (84.8% reply rate).RESULTS: Four of five used <5 minutes to discuss emergency contraception with the client, but almost all enquired about time from intercourse. While only 20% asked about the woman s health, most considered concomitant drug use and potential interaction with levonorgestrel. Only about 50% pointed out that EC did not protect against sexually transmitted disease, (3/4) pointed out the need for permanent contraceptive use, 95% asked about previous EC use, but only 30% would provide EC again in the same menstrual cycle. One half of the pharmacists sold EC to men/teenage boys and wished to assist them with taking responsibility, while the others only sold the drug to the woman. Of those prepared to give the drug to the men, 55% asked to speak over the telephone with the woman to ensure correct prescription and information. Nearly a third would never or rarely provide consultation in private.CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists agree mostly about main points in supplying EC, but not as regards provision to women through their male partners. Provisons for consultation can be improved.
KW - Attitude of Health Personnel
KW - Clinical Competence
KW - Community Pharmacy Services
KW - Contraception Behavior
KW - Contraception, Postcoital
KW - Contraceptives, Postcoital
KW - Drug Interactions
KW - Female
KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
KW - Health Services Accessibility
KW - Humans
KW - Iceland
KW - Levonorgestrel
KW - Male
KW - Nonprescription Drugs
KW - Professional-Patient Relations
KW - Referral and Consultation
KW - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Women's Health
KW - English Abstract
KW - Journal Article
M3 - Tidsskriftartikel
C2 - 19420412
SN - 0023-7213
VL - 95
SP - 343
EP - 347
JO - Laeknabladid
JF - Laeknabladid
IS - 5
ER -
