2. Availability and Accessibility of an Over-The-Counter Oral Contraceptive Pill in Retail Pharmacies in a Single Midwest US County: An Exploratory Study

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q3 OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Pub Date : 2025-02-28 DOI:10.1016/j.jpag.2025.01.014

Taylor Argo , Tracey Wilkinson , Julie Maslowsky , Alana Otto

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

An over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptive pill (OCP) containing 75 μg of norgestrel became available without a prescription in US retail stores in March 2024. OTC access to an OCP has the potential to reduce barriers to contraceptive access and improve reproductive health equity, particularly for adolescents; however, removing the requirement for a prescription does not guarantee accessibility. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability and accessibility of the OTC OCP in pharmacies in a single midwest US county.

Methods

We used our state's licensing database to identify all licensed retail pharmacies in our county and visited these pharmacies between August and October 2024; we excluded pharmacies embedded in clinics and hospitals. We observed the availability, price, and accessibility of the OTC OCP (“the pill”), including availability for purchase of one- and three-month packs, price, and location (on the shelf with no security measures; behind the pharmacy counter; or in a locked security box that requires an employee to open at checkout). We present descriptive statistics of our findings.

Results

We visited a total of 44 retail pharmacies, including 16 standalone chain pharmacies, 14 independent local pharmacies, 12 mass merchandise retailers/supermarkets, and two wholesale clubs. The pill was available in 33 pharmacies (75% of those visited). Only three of 14 independent pharmacies (21%) carried the pill. Prices ranged from $18.97- $22.59 for one-month packs (manufacturer's suggested retail price [MSRP]: $19.99) and $47.99 - $55.99 for three-month packs (MSRP: $49.99). In 12 pharmacies (36%), the pill was available on the shelf with no security measures. In 13 pharmacies (39%), the pill was in locked security boxes. In 4 pharmacies (12%), some packs were available on the shelf, while others were in locked security boxes. Four pharmacies (12%) had the pill behind the pharmacy counter.

Conclusions

The OTC OCP was available at most pharmacies (75%) in our single US county at the time of data collection; however, few independent pharmacies stocked the product, and only 27% of all pharmacies had the product available without security measures. Prices in our county were generally similar to the MSRP. In more than half (63%) of pharmacies that stocked the pill, the OTC OCP was locked in security boxes or behind the pharmacy counter, requiring an individual to seek an employee to access the pill. Whether these measures affect adolescents' willingness to purchase the OTC OCP or contribute to stigma around contraception are important areas for future study.

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2. 美国中西部一个县零售药店非处方口服避孕药的可得性和可及性：一项探索性研究

2024年3月，一种含有75 μg诺孕酮的非处方（OTC）口服避孕药（OCP）在美国零售商店无需处方即可购买。在OTC渠道获得OCP有可能减少获得避孕药具的障碍，改善生殖健康公平，特别是对青少年而言；然而，取消处方要求并不能保证可访问性。本研究的目的是评估OTC OCP在美国中西部单个县药房的可得性和可及性。方法利用我县许可数据库，确定本县所有许可零售药店，并于2024年8月至10月对这些药店进行走访；我们排除了诊所和医院内的药店。我们观察了OTC OCP（“药丸”）的可获得性、价格和可及性，包括购买一个月和三个月包装的可获得性、价格和位置(在没有安全措施的货架上；在药房柜台后面；或者放在一个锁着的保险箱里，需要员工在结账时打开)。我们对我们的发现进行了描述性统计。结果我们共走访了44家零售药店，包括16家独立连锁药店、14家独立本地药店、12家大宗商品零售商/超市和2家批发俱乐部。在33家药店（75%的受访药店）可以买到这种药丸。14家独立药店中只有3家（21%）出售这种药丸。一个月包的价格为18.97- 22.59美元（制造商建议零售价为19.99美元），三个月包的价格为47.99 - 55.99美元（建议零售价为49.99美元）。在12家药店（36%），这种药丸在货架上没有任何安全措施。在13家药店（39%），药品被锁在保险箱里。在4家药店（12%）中，一些包装在货架上可以买到，而另一些则在锁着的安全箱里。四家药店（12%）在药店柜台后面有这种药。在我们收集数据时，美国单个县的大多数药店（75%）都有OTC OCP；然而，很少有独立药店有这种产品，只有27%的药店有没有安全措施的产品。我们县的价格基本上和建议零售价差不多。在超过一半（63%）的药店中，OTC OCP被锁在安全箱里或药房柜台后面，需要个人找一名员工才能拿到药片。这些措施是否会影响青少年购买OTC OCP的意愿，还是会导致对避孕的耻辱感，这是未来研究的重要领域。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology 医学-妇产科学

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

11.10%

发文量

251

审稿时长

57 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology includes all aspects of clinical and basic science research in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. The Journal draws on expertise from a variety of disciplines including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, reproduction and gynecology, reproductive and pediatric endocrinology, genetics, and molecular biology. The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology features original studies, review articles, book and literature reviews, letters to the editor, and communications in brief. It is an essential resource for the libraries of OB/GYN specialists, as well as pediatricians and primary care physicians.