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Unlocking the condoms: The effect on sales and theft
Daniel Ashwood1, Karen B Farris2, Shelly Campo3
1Consultant in Elyria, Ohio. At the time of this study he was Graduate Research Assistant, Program in Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa. Iowa City, IA ( United States ).
Pharmacy Practice
|August 19, 2014
Summary
Unlocking condom displays in grocery pharmacies increased both condom sales and theft. Despite increased theft, overall condom sales significantly outweighed losses, suggesting improved accessibility benefits public health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pharmacy Practice
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Community pharmacies often restrict condom access through locked displays.
- This limited access may decrease condom usage and impact public health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify condom sales and theft when displays were unlocked in grocery pharmacies.
- To assess the impact of improved condom accessibility on purchasing and pilferage.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving eight central Iowa grocery pharmacies.
- Condom displays were unlocked for three months, with inventory, sales, and theft data collected monthly.
- Sales data was compared to the same period one year prior.
Main Results:
- Condom theft varied significantly across pharmacies, averaging between 1.33 and 27.33 boxes per month.
- All participating stores observed an increase in condom sales during the intervention period.
- Two pharmacies re-locked their displays, with only one citing theft as the primary reason.
Conclusions:
- Unlocking condom displays led to increased condom sales and theft.
- Despite increased theft, overall sales surpassed losses in all participating pharmacies.
- Improving condom accessibility through unlocked displays is a viable strategy for increasing sales.