Pharmacist-Prescribed Birth Control: A Policy Analysis

Although unintended pregnancy in the United States has steadily decreased from 2008, rates are still unacceptably high as almost half (42%) of all pregnancies are not wanted or timed correctly (Finer & Zolna). In 2011, 2.8 million of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the United States each year were unintended. Public health professionals are worried about unintended pregnancy because research shows that unwanted or mistimed pregnancies come with associations to adverse maternal and child health outcomes, such as delayed prenatal care, premature birth, and negative physical and mental health effects for children (Frost, Frohwirth & Zolna, 2016). Also, two-thirds (68%) of the 1.5 million unplanned births that occurred in 2010 were paid for by public insurance programs, primarily Medicaid. A woman’s ability to access and administer the contraception of their choice is imperative in reducing the chances of an unintended pregnancy. A relatively new pharmacist-prescribed birth control policy has been approved in eight states and the District of Colombia that includes several birth control options. In theory, pharmacist-prescribed contraception should help increase access for women who indicate issues like getting to a clinic or not having a regular doctor. This policy analysis measures impact and evaluates pharmacist-prescribed birth control\u27s effectiveness to determine if it is filling the gap in care for people who cite issues accessing birth control. This policy analysis also measures feasibility for Nebraska adopting this policy and what the state needs to do to prepare for more comprehensive sexual health care. Finer, Lawrence B., and Mia R. Zolna. “Declines in Unintended Pregnancy in the United States, 2008–2011.” Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, vol. 71, no. 7, 2016, pp. 408–409., doi:10.1097/ogx.0000000000000340