Maryland Comprehensive Contraceptive Education for the Pharmacist

Comprehensive Contraceptive Education:

Welcome to Comprehensive Contraceptive Education for the Maryland Pharmacist. Prior to completing this training program, please be aware pharmacists will be required to follow the rules and regulations for contraception prescribing as approved by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. In addition to the rules and regulations, the Board has approved several documents pharmacists will be required to utilize including a self-assessment form, visit summary form, and algorithm. Both this training program and the Maryland Board-approved documents are based on the contraceptive guidelines put out by the Centers for Disease Control also known as the US Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC). However, per the Maryland Algorithm for prescribing contraception, there are some more stringent criteria for referral pharmacists will be responsible for following when compared to the US MEC and applies to all methods of hormonal contraception pharmacists can prescribe.

These more stringent criteria and disease-states will require referral to a primary care provider:

• Has had major surgery with prolonged immobilization.
• Recent and worrisome change in vaginal bleeding.
• All types of stomach reduction surgery; both restrictive AND malabsorptive procedures.
• Solid organ transplant; both complicated AND uncomplicated.
• All types of Lupus; including positive or unknown antiphospholipid antibodies, severe thrombocytopenia and immunosuppressive therapy.
• All types of hepatitis, liver disease or cancer, gall bladder disease or jaundice; including mild or severe cirrhosis, benign and malignant liver cancer, symptomatic or asymptomatic gallbladder disease, and in cholecystectomy.

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, the participant 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 Eligible Criteria guidelines published by the CDC.

6) Assess an individual's risk when compared to the benefits of all self-administered 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.

UAN: 0036-0000-25-310-H01-P
Target Audience: Pharmacists licensed in Maryland
Activity Type: Application
Activity Release Date: 01/03/2025
Activity Expiration Date: 01/03/2028
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