Comprehensive Contraceptive Education:

Dear Tennessee Pharmacist,

The University of Tennessee is pleased to partner with Oregon State University College of Pharmacy to offer Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Tennessee Pharmacist. Prior to completing this training program, please be aware that pharmacists will be required to follow the rules and regulations for contraception prescribing as approved by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Specifically, a pharmacist is authorized to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, in good faith, pursuant to a valid collaborative pharmacy practice agreement which contains a nonpatient-specific prescriptive order and standardized procedures developed and executed by one (1) or more authorized prescribers. As a part of the rules and regulations, the Board has approved a Self-Screening Questionnaire that should be used during patient encounters. Links to applicable documents are listed below.

CHAPTER 1140-15 PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES.

Tennessee Pharmacist-Provided Hormonal Contraceptives Self-Screening Questionnaire.

Women in the United States have had access to highly effective hormonal contraception in the form of an oral pill for decades. However, they have always needed to see their doctor or women’s health provider in order to get a prescription for it, causing what many believe to be an unnecessary hurdle. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have issued a formal statement that self-administered hormonal contraception should be made more accessible by removing this barrier. This is because the benefit of preventing unintended pregnancies by improving access to hormonal contraception outweighs the small risks associated with serious adverse events. 

While pharmacists are knowledgeable in being able to counsel women on the side effects and what to expect, before now they have never been in the role of starting or continuing a woman on any form of hormonal contraception. It is good to have a foundational knowledge on hormonal contraception, but prescribing it requires a deeper understanding of how to practice seeing patients and in making clinical decisions.

This training program has received significant support and guidance from several OBGYN members of ACOG, and is specifically designed to give pharmacists the tools needed to be confident and successful in prescribing and monitoring self-administered hormonal contraception.

James Wheeler, PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Knoxville Campus
1924 Alcoa Highway, Box 117
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 974 – 2386
jwheeler@uthsc.edu

 

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 Certificate 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 and 3) Completion of the program evaluation.

UAN: 0036-0000-18-095-H04-P
Activity Type: Application
Activity Release Date: 3/20/2018
Activity Expiration Date: 3/20/2021