engleski

Emergency contraception in OTC regime: experience from community pharmacists in Croatia

BackgroundUnintended pregnancies present an important problem around the world. Despite many contraceptives being easily accessible, a study from 2012 showed that 44% of all pregnancies in Europe are unplanned. In January 2015, European Commission adopted a recommendation from European Medicines Agency to switch ulipristal acetate to non-prescription status across EU.MethodsA survey was shared with community pharmacists online. 70 colleagues nationwide answered 24 questions relating to their day-to-day practice, education on the topic, and their opinions on (dis)advantages of EC.ResultsAs expected, 60% of patients use EC after unprotected intercourse, as opposed to 11% who use EC because of contraceptive failure. 68% of community pharmacists answered that patients are generally not so well informed about ECs and more than half thinks EC should be switched back to prescription status because of risks associated with overuse, risky sexual behaviour and negligence of other methods of contraception. When it comes to pharmacists&rsquo ; education, 47% consider themselves as being properly educated for dispensing EC in OTC regime, while 41% think they could use further education to feel more confident, primarily regarding safety, adverse events and contraindications.ConclusionPharmacists play a crucial role in educating patients on the use of EC, its contraindications and adverse events. However, it is also important to educate pharmacists for them to feel secure in giving advice and promoting responsible choices.

Emergency contraception, OTC regime, pharmacists

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