Women turn to pharmacists as obstetric care shrinks

As access to obstetric and reproductive health services decline across the United States, women are showing strong interest in receiving care from community pharmacists. A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, covered by trade publication Drug Topics, finds that 89% of women between 18 and 45 were interested in at least one pharmacist-provided reproductive health service, with interest particularly high among women in areas with inadequate obstetric care. The most sought-after services included medication reviews for pregnancy safety; hypertension screening; vaccinations; and help managing pregnancy-related nausea. Researchers noted that “pharmacist-led reproductive health services could improve maternal health access.”