Aims: To evaluate differences in the time taken to access progestogen-only emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) by young women from family planning (FP) or community pharmacy settings.
Methods: An observational study of 203 women requesting EHC from FP clinics and community pharmacies in South-west Kent Primary Care Trust (PCT) from December 2002 to October 2003.
Results: Access to EHC from community pharmacy was significantly faster than from FP clinics (16 h vs. 41 h, P<0.001). Older teenagers tended to seek EHC more quickly and were more likely to have had a contraceptive failure rather than have used no contraception at all.
Conclusion: The results provide further support for pharmacist involvement in the supply of EHC.