Arkansas Comprehensive Contraceptive Education for the Pharmacist

Comprehensive Contraceptive Education:

Pharmacists are now in the position to improve access by starting or continuing a patient on any form of hormonal contraception.

This training program has received significant support and guidance from several OBGYN members of ACOG. It is specifically designed to give pharmacists the tools needed to be confident and successful in prescribing and monitoring self-administered hormonal contraception and utilizing the Self-screening Risk Assessment and Contraceptive Assessment Treatment Care Pathway, each based on the US MEC. The training thoroughly educates the pharmacist in all FDA-approved methods of contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, contraindications, drug interactions, contraceptive counseling, and when to refer patients to medical providers.

Arkansas 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.

Links to an external site.

Arkansas pharmacists are required to complete a 1-hour training program approved by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, tailored specifically to statutory and Board requirements to utilize the Pharmacist Prescribing of Self-Administered Oral Contraceptive Therapy STATEWIDE PROTOCOL.

Oral Contraceptive Prescribing by Pharmacists

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Information:

This program has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through the sponsorship of OSU College of Pharmacy. The OSU College of Pharmacy is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Upon completion of this activity, participants will receive a Statement of Completion, and a Statement of Credit shall be uploaded to CPE Monitor. Completion requires 1) Registration for the course 2) Completion of all modules 3) Passing a final exam with 80% or higher and 4) Completion of the program evaluation.

At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to:

1. Work with an individual to choose the best and most effective contraceptive method.
2. Build a strong knowledge base for all hormonal contraceptives including the mechanism of action, doses, types, use, benefits, and risks.
3. Explain to patients the role of emergency contraception when used by itself and how to incorporate it into ongoing contraception plans.
4. Effectively counsel patients on the importance of adherence, missed doses, interactions, and side effects of all self-administered hormonal contraceptives, including combined hormonal contraceptives, progestin-only pills, and the progestin injection (DMPA).
5. Recognize the purpose of the self-assessment questionnaire, and how it relates to the US Medical Eligibile Criteria guidelines published by the CDC.
6. Assess an individual's risk when compared to the benefits of all self-adminsitered hormonal contraceptives to determine whether or not they should be referred to their primary health provider.
7. Utilize tools that will help to incorporate a service that provides hormonal contraception to patients at a community pharmacy.

At the completion of this activity, pharmacy technicians will be able to:

1. Discuss the types of contraceptives and explain why some may be more effective for different patients.
2. Describe the mechanism of action, doses, types, use, benefits, and risks of hormonal contraceptives.
3. Explain to patients the role of emergency contraception when used by itself and how it can be incorporated it into ongoing contraception plans.
4. Discuss the importance of adherence, missed doses, interactions, and side effects of all self-administered hormonal contraceptives, including combined hormonal contraceptives, progestin-only pills, and the progestin injection (DMPA).
5. Recognize the purpose of the self-assessment questionnaire, and how it relates to the US Medical Eligibile Criteria guidelines published by the CDC.
6. Distinguish the risks when compared to the benefits of all self-adminsitered hormonal contraception.
7. Utilize tools to help incorporate hormonal contraception services at a community pharmacy.

UAN: 0036-0000-25-319-H01-P/T
Target Audience: Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Licensed in Arkansas
Activity Type: Application-based
Activity Release Date: 10/15/2025
Activity Expiration Date: 10/15/2028
Contributors: Lorinda Anderson, PharmD, BCPS; Mark Leid, PhD, BPharm; Adriane Irwin, MS, PharmD, BCACP
Disclosures: None of the contributors, designers, or peer reviewers for this course have any financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose