PharmD student explores access to emergency contraception on college campuses

P3 PharmD student Ariel Yosha is working with Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Taylor Clark on a project titled “Utilization of Emergency Contraception Vending Machines Across NYS Campuses and Student Interest in OTC Contraceptives.” 

“I think access is extremely important. In New York state, we have laws which protect us in having access, but there are other barriers that we don't consider, like cost and distance,” said Yosha, who was previously involved with the New York Birth Control Access Project. “As a young woman in pharmacy, I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to get involved, so that's exactly what I did.”

Over-the-counter emergency contraception, used up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy (as opposed to birth control, used daily to prevent pregnancy) is available on some New York campuses via emergency contraception vending machines. 

Clark and Sarah Lynch, assistant dean for academic affairs and clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, first developed the idea for this study when they began to wonder if students knew about Binghamton’s contraceptive vending machine. That evolved into a question about access, a topic particularly relevant to college students, who are often far from home — in addition to the access issues related to a general lack of providers.

“We're very fortunate here at Binghamton that they can use the bus system to get to Walmart or Target to get emergency contraception,” Clark said. “But do they know that contraceptives are available at a cheaper cost right on campus? Would it be easy for students to pick up birth control options at that vending machine, too?”

The purpose of this study is to evaluate student interest in these machines versus over-the-counter or provider-delivered contraception. 

Yosha also wants to take a closer look to see if students are using the vending machines and if they have interest in a different option like OPill, an over-the-counter birth control prevention. The goal is to aid access issues, ascertain the usefulness of the vending machines via student survey, and encourage other campuses to implement them in ways which then appeal to students.

“We took into consideration having access to a private location, where you don't need anyone but yourself to obtain this, and I think that option should be offered in other campuses, if possible,” she said. “The patient perspective is important to me, and I think this research will help me in the long run as a health care provider one day, who takes these things into account when prescribing to, assisting, and educating patients.”

Like other summer research fellow students, she has found the chance to work with faculty directly a potentially life-changing opportunity.

“Dr. Clark was recently a student at Binghamton University herself, so I think that she's been able to guide me in not only the research aspect, but in general — where I can go in my field as both a clinical pharmacist and as a role model,” Yosha said. “It’s been so great to see a potential future of my own through working with her.”