OBJECTIVES

To initiate a model which will help prevent unintended pregnancies, by increasing access to emergency contraception.

BACKGROUND

The two-year pilot project ended in June 1999, and an expansion of the initial pilot project followed, between June 2000 and August 2001. The project is funded by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families),and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, in collaboration with PATH, the Washington State Pharmacists Association, and the University of Washington’s Department of Pharmacy.

SCOPE

The target population is low-income and Medicaid-eligible women in the Eastern region of Washington State, which has high rates of unintended pregnancy.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

To provide information and training on EC to health providers, including pharmacists.

To raise public awareness regarding EC as a pregnancy prevention alternative, including information on its safety.

To facilitate collaborative agreements on ECP provision, between pharmacists and licensed prescribers.

MANAGEMENT FEATURES

Strategy

The project allows women to obtain ECPs directly from trained pharmacists, “…who have established collaborative drug therapy agreements with licensed practitioners…” Although the project does not specifically target adolescents, young women will gain greater access to ECPs through this project.

Capacity-Building

Health providers have received practical training in the provision of a very useful service, ECPs.

Mobilising Resources

A new system of collaboration between pharmacists and licensed prescribers has been developed, which provides for increased access by women to an important treatment.

Managerial Leadership

The training materials for this project were specifically developed to help other states to create similar projects. These training materials include: a Public Relations/Contingency Plans packet, a Pharmacist Training Manual, a Quality Assurance Document (used by the State Pharmacists Association), and a Model Legislation packet.

EVALUATION FINDING

The project has been successful in increasing access to ECP, and has received positive comments from both service recipients and participating pharmacists. Specific impact evaluation data was not available at the writing of this case summary.