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The IC program is structured by standardized guidelines allowing designated pharmacies to provide contraceptive injections to established patients of participating providers. To participate, pharmacists must meet certain program requirements and receive training about injection technique and management of patients using injectable contraception. At the clinic or physician’s office, the patient is screened for method contraindications and provided with education and instructions for method use. Women selecting injectable contraception (Depo-Provera) are informed of the new pharmacy access option and, if interested, given a prescription with refills, an injection card, and any information about designated pharmacy locations. The Clinician may administer the first injection or can refer the patient to a participating pharmacist for the first injection. For the patient, using the pharmacy always remains optional. At anytime she may return to her clinic or physician’s office for her re-injection. At the pharmacy, the patient presents her prescription and the injection card that identifies her as a participant in the IC program. She is given an IC encounter form and she completes the top portion. The pharmacist reviews this information and provides the injection service per guidelines. The pharmacist fills out the bottom portion of the encounter form and enters information on the patient’s injection card. The encounter form is maintained in secured storage at the pharmacy. Patients who present at the pharmacy with side effects or complications related to injectable contraceptives are referred back to the provider per guidelines. IC patients return to their regular provider for their annual visit and all customary clinical services.
Pharmacy Access Partnership supports a demonstration program in California called “Health Step” for pharmacists, physicians and clinics who want to provide extra access options for women on injectable contraception. Pharmacists who know physicians providing contraceptive services may wish to contact them about this program. Providers who participate in Health Step can obtain staff orientation, promotional and informational materials, and pharmacists are reimbursed for their injection service (not drug costs) when serving low income women on Medi-Cal or Family PACT.
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