Oral Contraceptive Prescribing by Pharmacists
Statewide Protocol
Act 408 of 2021 authorizes licensed pharmacists in Arkansas to initiate oral contraceptive therapy in accordance with the provisions of Arkansas Code § 17-92-115 and the guidance provided therein. The required statewide protocol was approved by both the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas Medical Board in 2022. Click here to download the full protocol.
Educational Programs
Oral Contraceptive Prescribing: Statewide Protocol Training – this online training program is required for pharmacists that plan to provide consultative and prescriptions for oral contraceptives. The majority of the course development and enrollment cost is covered by an educational grant from the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy. For additional course details click here.
APhA Advanced Training- Increasing Access: Hormonal Contraceptive Products is 4 hour online ACPE accredited advanced training program that will prepare pharmacists to discuss the hormonal contraceptive options available to prescribe, furnish or dispense. The cost of this online program is $295 for non-members. The APA has signed an agreement to be able to offer this program to Arkansas pharmacists and secured an grant from a philanthropy that will allow the first 100 pharmacists to get a $150 discount. This program is not required by state law, but we do recommend this program if you need additional or refresher training to implement the oral contraceptive prescribing service in your community. Note: Pharmacists employed by chain pharmacies may have corporate training programs available. The APhA program is divided into four separate modules: (for ACPE course details click here)
Module 1: Hormonal Contraceptive Products
Module 2: Assessing Women for Hormonal Contraception
Module 3: Communicating About Hormonal Contraceptives
Module 4: Pharmacy Practice Operations
you can enroll in one or both programs
Required Reporting:
By state law, you are required to document the number of patients prescribed oral contraceptives by a pharmacists and the ages of those patients. We encourage monthly reporting, but annual is acceptable.
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/pharmacy-services-drug-control