Some
FL Pharmacies Dispensing
Contraception Misinformation
Posted March 21, 2014 07:45 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Emergency contraception is supposed to be available over-the-counter for teen girls, but research shows many still face barriers to obtaining it. Dr. Tracey Wilkinson is a pediatrician and the lead author of the study, which posed a couple of simple questions to more than 900 pharmacies across the country.
"Do you have emergency contraception, and if I'm 17 can you get it?", she asked. "The most recent study showed and discussed some of our conversations with the pharmacy staff and showed some real glaring problems with access for adolescents when it comes to this medication."
Wilkinson
said some of the recurring misinformation included
pharmacy staff saying a prescription was needed or that
a parent had to be along with a teen, neither of which
is true. In addition, some pharmacy workers said they
didn't feel comfortable dispensing emergency
contraception, citing personal beliefs.
With the misinformation and barriers, Wilkinson advises
all women of reproductive age to get the medication
before they need it.
Links:
•
The Emergency Contraception Website
•
Journal of the American Medical
Association
They are also advised "to know the rules and the laws so
that you know what you are entitled to. I talk to all my
patients about a 'Plan A' for contraception and birth
control, and this is really your back-up method, but you
should have your back-up method when you need it and not
struggle to get it when you're in a tight situation."
When used correctly, Plan B One-Step emergency
contraception prevents fertilization and is 95 percent
effective in preventing unintended pregnancies if taken
within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
Photos/graphics, layout, and some links added by the Observer
Graphic: Princeton Edu.