The Role of the Pharmacist in Family Planning

The pharmacists potential and present role in family planning was discussed. Personal factors affected the sale and display of contraceptives. Of 1600 questionnaires sent to members of the Washington State Pharmaceutical Association 850 were returned. The vast majority responding were caucasian males 30 to 50 years of age married Protestant born and educated as pharmacists in the state of Washington. 98% of the total and 92% of the Roman Catholic pharmacists sold contraceptives; 78% and 70% respectively displayed them. Among those displaying contraceptives 5% displayed diaphragms and 2% displayed oral contraceptives. Although foams creams jellies and condoms are available without a prescription the former are displayed by 100% of the pharmacists and the latter displayed by 5%. An effective contraindication to the use of condoms especially by young males is their psychological unavailability. Support for sale of contraceptives to unmarried minors was greater in non-Catholics than in Catholics in pharmacists 20-29 than in older pharmacists in pharmacists in cities of population over 100000 than pharmacists in towns under 5000. Male customers infrequently asked pharmacists for contraceptive advice and female customers even less frequently. 87% of the respondents supported some control over contraceptive distribution. Pharmacists can participate in family planning by displaying both contraceptives and information. The elimination of unwanted pregnancies is important to reduce human suffering.