Several states have passed legislation that allows pharmacists direct, prescriptive authority to prescribe hormonal contraception. Some states have protocols in place; others do not.

Current best practices are based upon the 2016 recommendations from the USMEC.¹⁶ Our recommendations consider the currently available best practices with protocols developed by specific state boards of pharmacy and pharmacy or medical organizations when available.

To exercise prescriptive authority, patients must be screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria are the conditions necessary to proceed with prescriptive authority. Exclusion criteria indicate the patient has conditions that place them into a higher risk criterion and should be referred to a physician. Please check with your state board to see if their guidelines are in unity with our recommendations.