2022 Update: Dispensing Emergency Contraception through a Standing Order
In August of 2022, Massachusetts legislators passed Chapter 127 of the acts of 2022, an act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care. The amendments made in this legislation directly impact MGL 94c 19A. This educational module meets the updated requirements set by MGL 94c 19A(c) for continuing education needed by Massachusetts licensed pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception (levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate) utilizing the Massachusetts statewide standing order. This presentation has been discussed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Content will provide a review of currently available emergency contraception as well as instructions on how to utilize the emergency contraception standing order in practice.
Learner ObjectivesAt the completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
- Counsel a patient effectively on EC.
- Identify the most appropriate form of EC based off patient specific factors including BMI and concomitant medication therapy.
- Assess a patient for indications and contraindications for EC.
- Employ protocols and procedures found in an emergency contraception standing order to dispense EC in accordance with Massachusetts General Law 94c Section 19A.
Aimee Dawson, PharmD is an Assistant Professor in the department of Pharmacy Practice at MCPHS University- Worcester Campus. Aimee graduated from the University of Connecticut and completed a PGY1 community residency at Holyoke Health Center, in Holyoke, MA. Holyoke Health Center continues to serve as her clinical practice site where she precepts APPE students and PGY1 residents completing ambulatory care rotations. Aimee also serves as a medical information/medical affairs preceptor for the MCPHS University fellowship program with Sunovion.
Marisa Piers-Gamble, PharmD, BCACP is the Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator and clinical pharmacist at Holyoke Health Center, in Holyoke, MA. Marisa graduated from MCPHS University Boston campus and completed a PGY1 community residency at Holyoke Health Center. Marisa currently serves as an ambulatory care preceptor for APPE students and PGY1 residents. Marisa has a collaborative practice agreement in hypertension management and is passionate about serving her community.
Registration Fee: Free for MCPHS alumni and full-time staff; $12.00 for all other professionals.
Release Date: October 14, 2022
Expiration Date: October 13, 2023
ACPE UAN: 0026-0000-22-016-H03-P | Application
ACPE Topic Designator: Pharmacy Law
Contact Hours: 1.0 (0.1 CEU)
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences designates this activity for a total of 1.0 contact hours (0.1 CEUs).
To receive credit, participants must complete pre and post-assessments, view the entire presentation, and evaluate the session. Participant credit will be reported to the CPE Monitor upon conclusion. Transcripts may be printed from the CPE Monitor.
The policy of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is ensuring balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. Any individuals involved in planning or content creation for a continuing education activity are required to disclose financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the last 24 months. The intent of the policy is to identify and mitigate potential conflicts of interest that may affect the activity. All clinical medicine recommendations must be based on evidence accepted within the medical profession.
Aimee Dawson and Marisa Piers-Gamble do not hold relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Continuing Education staff members hold no financial relationships with ineligible companies related to the content of this presentation.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will identify, review, and mitigate all conflicts of interest disclosed prior to delivery of an educational activity to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation, but provides participants with information that may be of potential importance when they are evaluating content.