Women’s perspectives of direct pharmacy access to oral contraception
Tara Dev
A * , Pip Buckingham A B and Danielle Mazza A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
B Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.
* Correspondence to: danielle.mazza@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health - https://doi.org/10.1071/PY22212
Submitted: 7 October 2022 Accepted: 6 June 2023 Published online: 3 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Background: Most oral contraception options require a doctor’s prescription in Australia; however, there are many models of direct pharmacy access that have been successfully implemented internationally. Despite these advancements, the most preferable OTC model for consumers is yet to be explored in the international literature, and no prior studies have determined the potential benefits of implementation in Australia. The aim of this study was to explore women’s perspectives and preferences for models of direct pharmacy access to oral contraceptive pills (OCPs).
Methods: Women participants (n = 20) aged 18–44 residing in Australia were recruited via posts on a community Facebook page and participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Interview questions were guided by Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Service Use. Data were coded and thematically analysed in NVivo 12, using an inductive process to develop themes.
Results: Participants’ perspectives and preferences in relation to direct pharmacy OCP access were characterised by: (1) the importance of autonomy, accessibility and decreasing stigma; (2) confidence and trust in pharmacists; (3) health and safety concerns regarding OTC access; and (4) the need for varying OTC models to cater for both experienced and first-time users.
Conclusion: Women’s perspectives and preferences regarding direct pharmacy OCP access can be used to inform potential pharmacy practice advancements in Australia. While direct pharmacy OCP access is at the nexus of heated political debate in Australia, the potential benefits of being able to access OCPs directly from a pharmacist are evidently salient to women. Australian women’s preferred OTC availability models were identified.
Keywords: family planning services, healthcare disparities, mental health, minority health, patient-centred care, preventive health services, primary health care, quality of health care, women’s health services.
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