Student Perspectives on Current Events and Policies

Opill OTC: Clinical Essentials for Pharmacists

The first daily birth control pill that became available over the counter is Opill (norgestrel 0.075 mg). It has been available on store shelves since March 2024, yet awareness among healthcare providers and consumers alike remains low. Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Coots, MD joins us for a review of clinical essentials for pharmacists. More information: * Free the Pill "For Providers: FAQs about Opill [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/624f47211382a25c48aca17d/t/66043e519424f837060d91f5/1711554129540/Opill+Provider+FAQ_final.pdf]" * FDA "⁠Opill Information⁠ [https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/opill-0075mg-oral-norgestrel-tablet-information]" * Free the Pill/NHeLP "Coverage of Over-the-Counter Contraception: Model Legislation and Toolkit [https://freethepill.org/resources/state-otc-coverage-toolkit]"

Contraception Guidelines Updates and Cases

This episode covers key updates to the contraception and reproductive health guidelines that will impact pharmacists, along with patient case examples. The CDC updated their Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use and Selected Practice Recommendations guidelines. The Office of Population Affairs also updated the Quality Family Planning recommendations. Resource Links: MEC Chart, MEC Full Guidelines, SPR Full Guidelines, and QFP Recommendations available at: https://birthcontrolpharmacist.com/clinical-resources/ [https://birthcontrolpharmacist.com/clinical-resources/]  CDC MEC/SPR app iOS  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/contraception/id595752188?OCID=MY01SV&form=MY01SV [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/contraception/id595752188?OCID=MY01SV&form=MY01SV]  CDC MEC/SPR app Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cdc.ondieh.nccdphp.contraception2&form=MY01SV&OCID=MY01SV&pli=1 [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cdc.ondieh.nccdphp.contraception2&form=MY01SV&OCID=MY01SV&pli=1]

Student Perspectives on Current Events and Policies

Guest host Kayla Peralta, student pharmacist from UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, speaks with her classmates about recent events and policy changes.

Opill Over the Counter Journey

Victoria Nichols, Director of Free the Pill coalition, shares the journey to the first-ever daily birth control pill approved by the FDA for OTC use in the United States. Opill was approved by the FDA in 2023 and became available on store shelves in 2024. The Free the Pill coalition (formerly known as the Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group) has been working since 2004 to build the evidence in support of OTC birth control pills in the United States. Connect with our guests and their work: Victoria Nichols, Director of Free the Pill coalition, Ibis Reproductive Health Instagram: @freethepill Website: https://freethepill.org/

Youth Friendly Pharmacy Services

Does your pharmacy offer youth friendly services? Our guests Dr. Don Downing and Madelynn Bovasso discuss their advocacy efforts to expand reproductive services to young people, and outline strategies to improve access for this population. Learn how you can incorporate youth services into your practice in this episode. Youth and young adults deal with numerous barriers that impact their access to reproductive care. In order for patients to feel comfortable asking a pharmacist questions, it is imperative we create an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We discuss the services pharmacists provide and how they can take action to create a safe environment for these patients. Pharmacists can partner with schools for outreach that they are here to serve this population. The importance of offering youth friendly services can allow this population to gain access to reproductive health services. The conversation closes by identifying the barriers for pharmacists offering youth services and discussing ways to improve access for this patient population. To claim CPE credit, visit https://birthcontrolpharmacist.com/podcast [https://birthcontrolpharmacist.com/podcast] Learn more about Advocates for Youth: https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/ [https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/]