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Pharmacist-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Carla Picardo1, Stefanie Ferreri
1Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. picardoc@yahoo.com
Contraception
|July 27, 2010
Summary
Pharmacists can feasibly administer subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) injections in pharmacies. Patient satisfaction and continuation rates were comparable to family planning clinics.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Public Health
Background:
- Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) is a contraceptive injection.
- Assessing alternative administration sites for DMPA-SC is crucial for accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of DMPA-SC administration by pharmacists in a community pharmacy setting.
- To compare patient satisfaction between pharmacy-based and clinic-based DMPA-SC administration.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 50 women seeking DMPA.
- Participants received DMPA-SC injections either at a pharmacy or a family planning clinic.
- Patient satisfaction was assessed via follow-up surveys.
Main Results:
- The relative risk of returning for a second DMPA-SC injection was 0.73 (95% CI 0.42-1.27) for the pharmacy group.
- The relative risk of returning for a third DMPA-SC injection was 0.75 (95% CI 0.39-1.46) for the pharmacy group.
- High patient satisfaction was reported for the pharmacy setting (convenience, privacy, provider respect), with no significant differences compared to the clinic.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacist-administered DMPA-SC in pharmacies is a feasible option.
- Continuation rates and patient satisfaction in pharmacies are comparable to family planning clinics.
- Pharmacy-based DMPA-SC administration offers a viable alternative for contraceptive access.
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