Community Pharmacies Are Safe, Accessible Locations for Adolescent Reproductive Health Care
Adolescents often are at higher risk of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections due to the inadequate knowledge of protective practices.
In a review of 34 studies, investigators identify community pharmacies as safe and accessible locations for adolescents seeking care on sexual and reproductive health. Adolescents often face greater barriers to reproductive health care than adults, and community pharmacies are very accessible within both urban and rural settings.1
Adolescents often are at higher risk of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections due to the inadequate knowledge of protective practices. | Image Credit: charnsitr - stock.adobe.com
Adolescents often are at higher risk of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections due to the inadequate knowledge of protective practices, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, adolescent pregnancy can also be associated with higher risks of health issues, including anemia, postpartum hemorrhaging, and mental disorders, including depression. WHO states that for sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, “these are either not available or are provided in a way that makes adolescents feel unwelcome and embarrassed.”2
Investigators of the current study conducted a systematic review to examine adolescents’ experiences and acceptability of contraception and abortion clinical and dispensing services in community pharmacies. Eligible studies were published from 2000 onwards due to a shift in the pharmacist’s scope of practice since 2000. Studies of any design were considered and included or focused on data on patients aged 10 to 19 years.
Investigators ultimately included 34 studies in the final analysis, with 24 from the US, 4 from the UK, 2 from Australia, and 1 each from Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand. Of the studies, 21 focused on emergency contraceptive pills and 10 focused on broader contraceptive methods, and 32 studies were considered high quality, with the other 2 being moderate quality.1
Investigators found that adolescents and pharmacists agreed that the delivery of contraceptive services for adolescents was accessible at the pharmacy level and pharmacists were considered knowledgeable sources of information. Furthermore, adolescents viewed pharmacists as acceptable sources of information regarding contraception and preferred them as health care professionals for the information.
Pharmacies were seen as accessible and convenient for these services; however, adolescents did anticipate judgmental attitudes and were concerned about confidentiality, specifically related to the layout of the pharmacy. Pharmacists also identified lack of access to medical history as a potential reason that pharmacies were not suited for these services, and they identified needs for additional training regarding providing contraceptive information and counseling adolescents.1
However, investigators found that adolescents did experience embarrassment and pharmacist judgment that did impact their overall experience. They mentioned feeling embarrassed due to poor privacy, awkwardness when interacting with pharmacy staff, and judgement from pharmacy staff. Furthermore, embarrassment for patients was worth it when they felt that the pharmacy staff lacked sensitivity, were dismissive, were unhelpful or negative, or asked repetitive or intrusive questions unrelated to care.1
Additionally, investigators noted that pharmacists’ and pharmacy staff’s attitudes towards providing contraception were influenced by their beliefs on contraception as well as age and adolescent sexual activity. Empathetic care was identified as a factor in making adolescents feel more comfortable, which included approachability, awareness of stigma, nonjudgmental and respectful environments, and keeping a mindful tone and expression. Pharmacists also recognized the importance of respect and empathy.1
Investigators concluded that pharmacies were accessible and convenient sources for sexual and reproductive health care services and pharmacists can provide adolescents with comprehensive information. The authors stated, “From the pharmacists’ perspective, their attitudes and comfort regarding adolescent sexual activity and contraception provision (including ECP [emergency contraceptive pill]), along with their need for further training, appeared to influence their acceptability to provide these services.”1
READ MORE: Women's Health Resource Center
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REFERENCES
1. Stephenson J, Bailey JV, Blandford A, et al. An interactive website to aid young women's choice of contraception: feasibility and efficacy RCT. Health Technol Assess. 2020;24(56):1-44. doi:10.3310/hta24560
2. World Health Organization. Adolescent sexual reproductive heath. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.who.int/southeastasia/activities/adolescent-sexual-reproductive-health
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