Recommendations for policies enabling pharmacist–prescribed contraceptive services

Abstract

Overly prescriptive legislation, regulations, and protocols dictating pharmacists’ scope to prescribe contraception prevent the realization of the full potential benefits of the policy. Despite pharmacists’ interest and willingness to improve patients’ access to contraceptive care, suboptimal or inflexible policies impede implementation. We have compiled policy recommendations that consider barriers and facilitators to implementation of pharmacist-prescribed contraception, including pharmacist training, pharmacy operations, and payment for services. Armed with the recommendations from our commentary, we expect policymakers and advocates for pharmacist-provided services will be better prepared to propose and revise state policies that support implementation of contraceptive services and improve patients’ access.