Introduction

Introduction

In the United Kingdom, emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) has been available to buy in pharmacies since January 2001. In some localities, it is also available free of charge in pharmacies through patient group direction schemes. A number of studies have explored the views of practising community pharmacists towards the supply of EHC.^1,2,3 However, no study has yet explored the views of those training to become pharmacists. This study aims to elicit the views of pharmacy students towards the supply of EHC in pharmacies.

Method

A self-completion questionnaire was distributed to fourth year students in one School of Pharmacy. The questionnaire was in three sections; the first contained six factual statements regarding EHC which respondents were asked to rate as true or false; the second contained 10 attitudinal statements drawn from the literature, which respondents were asked to rank on a 5-point scale. The final section contained questions on demographics. Data were analysed using SPSS for Windows (Version 9.0).

Results

Seventy-five respondents completed the questionnaire, representing 71% of those in the year (75/106). The sample was predominantly female (63%). Just over half the sample (55%) identified themselves as white Caucasian; Asian was the second biggest group (32%). Seventy-two per cent of the sample regarded themselves as religious; the biggest groups were protestant (19%) and muslim (17%). The sample was evenly split between those going into community (48%) and hospital pharmacy (49%).

Seventy-nine percent of respondents expressed a willingness to supply EHC, 12% were equivocal and 9% stated they would be unwilling to supply EHC. Respondents displayed positive attitudes to the supply of EHC, with 80% agreeing that it would lead to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies. Eighty-seven percent agreed that pharmacy was an appropriate place for the supply of EHC, although a majority raised concerns about the need for privacy. The sample were equivocal about the impact of increased availability of EHC on sexual behaviour but were concerned that women may use EHC as a regular method of contraception.

Discussion

The findings from this small-scale survey of pharmacy students mirror findings from previous studies with practising pharmacists. It suggests that this group hold positive attitudes to the supply of EHC in pharmacy. There are, however, concerns about issues around sexual behaviour and privacy, which may need addressing. As pharmacy students represent the future of pharmacy, further exploration of these issues would seem to be merited.

References

1. D'Souza R, Bounds W. Over-the-counter EHC: a survey of pharmacists' and general practitioners' knowledge, use and views. Pharmaceutical Journal 2001; 266:293-296.
2. Wearn A, Gill P, Gray M, Wan Po AL. Pharmacists' views on deregulating emergency hormonal contraception. Pharmaceutical Journal 2001; 566:89-92.
3. Blackwell D, Cooper N, Taylor G, Holden K. Pharmacists concerns and perceived benefits from the deregulation of hormonal emergency contraception (HEC). British Journal of Family Planning 1999; 25:100-104.