Enhancing Discretion and Consistency in Emergency Contraception Counselling: Implementation of a Digital Support Tool in Community Pharmacies

Emergency contraception (EC) is a time-sensitive pharmacy service in which consistent, patient-centred counselling is important but can be challenging to deliver in routine practice. This prospective implementation study evaluated the feasibility and real-world use of a digital counselling support tool for pharmacist-led EC consultations in Swiss community pharmacies. The tool combines patient self-reporting with structured, evidence-based support for pharmacist counselling. All EC consultations between 1 November 2023 and 14 February 2026 using the tool in 10 Swiss community pharmacies were analysed descriptively (n = 3428), alongside a voluntary anonymous post-consultation survey (n = 148) assessing patient-reported experience and acceptance. Median total consultation duration was 11:32 min, including 4:27 min of direct pharmacist counselling, indicating partial transfer of assessment to the digital pre-consultation phase. Ulipristal acetate was dispensed in 71% and levonorgestrel in 26% of consultations. Prior to counselling, 80% of patients reported uncertainty regarding the optimal active ingredient, underscoring the relevance of pharmacist involvement. Survey respondents rated the tool as easy to use (97%), discreet (99%), and trustworthy (98%); 85% preferred it over standard paper-based procedures. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and patient acceptance of integrating a digital tool into routine EC services and suggest that such tools may support structured, evidence-based counselling within community pharmacy practice.