The North Carolina DIAL EC project: increasing access to emergency contraceptive pills by telephone

Raymond, Elizabeth G.; Spruyt, Alan; Bley, Karen; Colm, Janet; Gross, Shaina; Robbins, Leigh Ann

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2004.02.003

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Volume 69, Issue 5 , Pages 367-372, May 2004

The North Carolina DIAL EC project: increasing access to emergency contraceptive pills by telephone

Elizabeth G. Raymond
- Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, P.O. Box 3258, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA
- Family Health International, P.O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-919-405-1460; fax: +1-919-544-7261.
Alan Spruyt
- Family Health International, P.O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
Karen Bley
- Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, P.O. Box 3258, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA
Janet Colm
- Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, P.O. Box 3258, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA
Shaina Gross
- Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, P.O. Box 3258, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA
Leigh Ann Robbins
- Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, P.O. Box 3258, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA

Received 15 January 2004; received in revised form 6 February 2004; accepted 8 February 2004.

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate a telephone prescription service designed to increase access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) in North Carolina.

Methods

Women who wanted ECPs called a toll-free number and were screened over the telephone. Prescriptions were faxed to pharmacies chosen by callers.

Results

In 29 months, the service issued 9745 prescriptions to 7774 callers. Forty percent of callers were teens. Only 16% of callers received more than one prescription. Most callers heard about the service through referrals from Planned Parenthood staff and word-of-mouth.

Conclusions

This service was successful in providing prompt access to ECPs to women throughout the state. Frequent use of the service by individual women was uncommon. Callers preferred to obtain ECPs from local pharmacies rather than from Planned Parenthood health centers, despite generally higher prices at pharmacies.

Keywords: Emergency contraception, Access, Telephone, Prescription