Q&A: How Rural Pharmacists Are Stepping Up in Areas of Contraceptive Care

Between a slew of both patient and provider hurdles spurred by state- and federal-level legislation, the delivery and access of contraceptive care in the US have been a challenge as of late. While many issues within women’s health underscore greater, industry-wide challenges in pharmacy, the pharmacists that have undertaken these lofty roadblocks have truly made a world of a difference for women all across the country.

“While some patients benefit from improved pharmacy access, others, in rural or underserved areas, are finding it even harder to get that contraceptive care,” Lissette Logan, PharmD, COO at OvaryIt, told Drug Topics. “It really magnifies the importance of what Danielle is doing in her community.”

As COO of OvaryIt, Logan has been working with her team and other US pharmacists to develop more effective platforms for pharmacists to provide clinical contraceptive services. One of those pharmacists, Danielle Weaver, RPh, owner of Big Sandy Pharmacy and Wolves Den Pharmacy in rural Montana, joined Logan in our recent interview series to discuss her experience with OvaryIt and how she’s truly bringing contraceptive care to communities that otherwise would not have access.

Weaver and Logan joined us to discuss the pharmacist's role in contraceptive health services, barriers to access and implementation, and the overall evolution of contraception in recent history. | image credit: LariBat / stock.adobe.com

“[Danielle] saw a need, she stepped up, even considering what it meant for her as a business owner to try and close that gap,” continued Logan. “Because of her and other pharmacists like her, patients are healthier for it.”

Read through our conversation with Logan and Weaver to learn more about how the 2 are working together to close these gaps and set a precedent for improving contraceptive care services across the health care sector.

READ MORE: Pharmacists’ Ability to Increase Contraceptive Access Through Necessary Support

Drug Topics: Danielle, as a pharmacist in a rural community, you're on the front lines of patient care. In your view, how has the pharmacist's role in contraceptive health services evolved over time, and what are the most significant barriers for patients seeking these services in your area?

Danielle Weaver: Over the years, pharmacists have shifted from being perceived primarily as medication dispensers to playing a much more active role in direct patient care. In rural communities like mine, we often serve as the most accessible health care provider. Most people live within 5 miles of a pharmacy. We have the pharmacy here, but we're 45 miles away from everything else. In the past, patients have had to travel long distances and wait weeks to see providers for something like birth control. Now, pharmacists are increasingly able to step in and provide these services directly, which has been a very big game-changer for access.

The biggest barriers we face in my area are limited transportation, lack of local clinics, and sometimes even internet connectivity for the telehealth visits. There's also a lot of stigma surrounding reproductive health in smaller communities, which can make patients hesitant to seek care. By offering confidential, pharmacist-led services, we can help bridge that gap and provide that care in a safe and trusted environment. From the business side, implementing these services requires careful planning and sustainable operations. As a pharmacy owner, I've had to balance the staffing, workflow, efficiency, and the financial viability of this. Adding the contraceptive services meant investing in training for my team, ensuring proper billing practices, and leveraging technology to keep processes streamlined. It's not just about expanding the services; it's about keeping and creating a model that keeps the doors open and allows us to continue serving the community long-term.

Drug Topics: Lissette, since many state regulations and other various implementations have made contraceptive services tougher to access across the US, what trends or shifts have you observed in patient outcomes within your role at OvaryIt?

Lissette Logan: From my perspective at OvaryIt, we're seeing a real shift in how patients are navigating their reproductive care. As clinics are closing or reducing hours, more patients are having to turn to pharmacies out of necessity. For those who live in states where pharmacies and pharmacists are supported and services are being reimbursed, the outcomes are very positive. Patients can access contraception the same day, affordably, and locally. But those outcomes aren't consistent everywhere. In some states, [they are] without that clear reimbursement pathway. The staffing can be stretched thin. Patients technically have the right to access these services, but they may still leave the pharmacy without this care.

We also see a large awareness gap on both the patient and pharmacy side. I gave you the example, even the FDA, when they first released the over-the-counter [contraceptive] pill, there was a survey that showed that only about a quarter of women even knew that the pill existed. While some patients benefit from improved pharmacy access, others, in rural or underserved areas, are finding it even harder to get that contraceptive care. It really magnifies the importance of what Danielle is doing in her community. She saw a need, she stepped up, even considering what it meant for her as a business owner to try and close that gap. Because of her and other pharmacists like her, patients are healthier for it.

READ MORE: Women’s Health Resource Center

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