Borsella Madison, Foster Angel M
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
Pharmacy (Basel). 2020 Apr 30;8(2):76. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy8020076.
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.
尽管仅含左炔诺孕酮的紧急避孕药（LNG-ECPs）在加拿大非处方销售已有十多年，但获取渠道仍存在障碍。我们旨在获取新不伦瑞克省LNG-ECPs的可获得性和成本信息。采用神秘顾客研究设计，我们致电该省所有207家非专科药房，冒充一名17岁女性，询问在性行为后防止怀孕的药物。我们评估所提供信息的准确性和质量。绝大多数药房（n = 180，87%）至少有一个品牌的LNG-ECPs有库存；平均价格为28.69加元（21.65美元）。虽然大多数药房代表提供了关于LNG-ECPs的准确信息，但少数人在使用时间范围、副作用和作用机制方面给出了错误陈述。在9次交流（4%）中，药房代表错误地表示男性伴侣无法获得LNG-ECPs；没有人表示获取LNG-ECPs需要父母参与。没有药房代表提及任何其他紧急避孕方式，包括醋酸乌利司他。我们的研究结果表明，LNG-ECPs广泛可得，且大多数药房代表提供准确的医学和监管信息。然而，对药剂师和药房工作人员进行持续教育，特别是围绕紧急避孕的替代方式进行教育，似乎是有必要的。
