Vermont 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.  Act 178 created the framework for pharmacists in Vermont to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraception. The Vermont Pharmacists Association was at the forefront of the coalition advocating for this expansion of practice and we are pleased to now partner with Oregon State University to offer this training program to Vermont pharmacists who are looking for additional training as they implement these protocols. Additional materials, including self-screening questionnaires, treatment algorithm, and current contraceptive guidelines are available on the Vermont Board of Pharmacy website and linked from VTPharmacists.com.

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.

Lauren E. Bode, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES
Interim Executive Director
Vermont Pharmacists Association

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 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: 0036-0000-25-313-H01-P
Target Audience: Pharmacists licensed in Vermont
Activity Type: Application
Activity Release Date: 01/03/2025
Activity Expiration Date: 01/03/2028
Faculty/Contributors: Lorinda Anderson, Pharm.D., BCPS; Mark Ledi, PhD, BPharm; Adriane N. Irwin, MS, PharmD, BCACP
Declarations: None of the contributors, designers, or peer reviewers for this course have any financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose