A cross-sectional study of family planning medication availability in New York Capital Region pharmacies

Objective: Describe pharmacy access to prescription and over-the-counter abortion and contraceptive medications. Study design:Cross-sectional telephone survey of all pharmacies in 16 counties across New York's greater Capital Region, with in-person subsample (n=20).Results: Of 272 pharmacies, 24 (8.8%) carried mifepristone, 200 (73.5%)misoprostol, 112 (41.2%) ulipristal acetate, 256 (94.1%) levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills, and 181 (66.6%) norgestrel daily contraceptive pills.Medication availability differed significantly by pharmacy type (p<0.001), with national chains most likely to stock medications.Store security barriers were often present for over-the-counter purchasing of levonorgestrel (79%) and norgestrel (42%).Conclusions: Despite regulatory access to family planning medications, practical access remains unreliable.