Family Planning: Contraceptive Options, Expectations, and Timing

Course overview

More and more states have either passed legislation or have legislation moving through the houses to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control. Pharmacists need to be prepared to carry out this duty. For pharmacists in states that do not allow prescribing or have pending legislation, it is important to improve counseling and the ability to make appropriate recommendations to providers and patients who will follow up with a provider. Pharmacists should be prepared to counsel and recommend on the methods allowed by statewide practice agreements as well as those they are not allowed to prescribe, such as the IUD and implant, as these methods are often a reasonable option. This activity will prepare pharmacists by providing a review of considerations & recommendations with an emphasis on shared decision making in contraceptive choice during family planning to include appropriate options, expectations, and timing.