Pharmacists Leverage Accessibility to Provide Reproductive Health Education – Drug Topics

Pharmacists Address Reproductive Health Care Gaps in Arkansas

Introduction

Arkansas faces significant challenges in reproductive health care, with over 1,000 women giving birth annually without prior health care provider visits. Additionally, more than 52% of pregnancies in the state are unplanned, and Arkansas ranks fourth in the United States for maternal and fetal mortality. These statistics highlight critical public health concerns aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Pharmacists as Accessible Health Care Providers

Community pharmacists in Arkansas are increasingly becoming essential health care access points, especially for women lacking regular primary care physicians. By prescribing oral contraceptives at the pharmacy counter, pharmacists contribute directly to improving reproductive health services, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Comprehensive Patient Counseling

• Pharmacists provide one-on-one consultations explaining:

1. Reasons for selecting specific contraceptives
2. Correct usage instructions
3. Actions to take if a dose is missed
4. Potential interactions with other medications that may reduce contraceptive effectiveness

Identifying Health Issues and Facilitating Referrals

Pharmacists also utilize these interactions to detect underlying health concerns and refer patients to physicians or specialists as needed. This proactive approach aligns with SDG 3 by promoting early intervention and comprehensive health care.

Addressing Workforce Challenges

With approximately 40% of current prescribers expected to retire within the next decade, empowering pharmacists to prescribe and counsel on contraception is essential. This strategy supports sustainable health systems and workforce development, in line with SDG 3 and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Conclusion

Duane Jones, BSPharm, regional pharmacy supervisor at Harps Food Stores Inc., emphasizes the importance of pharmacist accessibility: “Having ease of access to pharmacists for this care is vital to the health and well-being of the citizens in this state.” This initiative represents a critical public health intervention that enhances care quality and accessibility, contributing to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving maternal health, access to reproductive health care, and reducing maternal and fetal mortality in Arkansas.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Access to contraceptive services and reproductive health care empowers women and supports their rights to make informed choices about their health.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio.
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information, and education.
2. Under SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Maternal and fetal mortality rates
   • The article states Arkansas ranks fourth in the US for maternal and fetal mortality, highlighting the importance of this indicator to measure progress on Target 3.1.
2. Percentage of unplanned pregnancies
   • Over 52% of pregnancies in Arkansas are unplanned, an indicator relevant to Target 3.7 and 5.6, measuring access and effectiveness of reproductive health services.
3. Access to contraceptive services via pharmacists
   • The article implies measuring the number of women accessing oral contraceptives and counseling through pharmacists as an indicator of improved access to reproductive health care.
4. Number of women giving birth without seeing a health care provider
   • More than 1000 women gave birth without ever seeing a health care provider, an indicator of gaps in health care access.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: drugtopics.com