Emergency contraceptives are key in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse and contraceptive failure. To improve access to emergency contraceptives after abortion access restrictions were implemented in many states, Massachusetts implemented a statewide standing order for emergency contraceptives in August 2022. This policy allows pharmacists to dispense prescription-only ulipristal (Ella) and over-the-counter levonorgestrel (Plan B) with a standing prescription ordered by the state.
Since 2016, 27 states have enacted pharmacy access policies allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives. However, these policies require pharmacists to undergo additional training and patients must complete a health questionnaire. Given these barriers, many pharmacies do not implement pharmacist-prescribed contraception services. The Massachusetts policy overcomes prescribing barriers by using the state as the prescriber and reduces out-of-pocket costs for levonorgestrel among the insured because prescriptions are covered without cost sharing. This study evaluated the association between Massachusetts’ statewide standing order and emergency contraceptive fills at retail pharmacies.
The full study can be viewed at JAMA.
Qato DM, Guadamuz JS, Myerson R. Changes in Emergency Contraceptive Fills After Massachusetts’ Statewide Standing Order. JAMA. Published online July 02, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.11715
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