Survey of general practitioner instructions to oral contraceptive users

The study indicates that this group of metropolitan general practitioners is generally well informed about the increased risk that missed pills, malabsorption or antibiotics causes. Nevertheless, there is considerable confusion about the effect on contraception efficacy and few respondents use the Family Planning Movement's '7 day rule'. The authors would like to recommend that the pharmaceutical companies and family planners put more effort into advertising this simple set of instructions for women who miss pills, have diarrhoea or vomiting or use antibiotics. There is also merit in inviting patients who have concerns to contact their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist for advice. There are occasions when the '7 day rule' may not be necessary, such as transient vomiting or diarrhoea, or both, of less than 12 hours when the patient can be advised to take an extra active tablet from a spare pack and continue with the rest of the pack as usual. Consultations involving prescriptions for oral contraception represent an excellent opportunity for health promotion and preventive medicine.