Under California law, pharmacists providing direct pharmacy access to EC services must complete a training program on emergency contraception (EC), which includes management of sensitive communications, mechanism of action, referral for additional services and documentation. Pharmacy Access Partnership supports a wide variety of training opportunities and works directly with a variety of training providers in California, including the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the University of Southern California, and the University of California San Francisco.

Pharmacists’ training promotes clinical and counseling skills to help pharmacies better meet the needs of women. As of June 2007, approximately 3,500 pharmacists have received EC training in California and 1100 pharmacies are providing EC. For a listing of EC Pharmacies visit www.ec-help.org.

EC Training Programs

Online Training Program

• Fulfills California’s training requirement for pharmacists to initiate EC drug therapy. Under new legislation (SB 490) California pharmacists must now simply complete at least one hour of approved continuing education on EC.
• Provides 1 hour of continuing education credit (CEs and CMEs) for pharmacists, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse midwives, and other health care professionals.
• Provides useful and relevant information for health care professionals serving women.
• To take the training program and be eligible to initiate EC drug therapy in the pharmacy visit www.pharmacyaccess.learnsomething.com.

Live Training Programs

• Provides 2 hours of continuing education credit for pharmacists to initiate EC drug therapy.
• Includes a review of clinical issues, counseling fundamentals and emphasizes case studies and role play.
• Limited number of live training programs will be offered in major metropolitan areas.

Special Training Requests

Pharmacy Access Partnership is an CAPE provider of continuing education credit and can help local organizations and retail pharmacies provide trainings in California upon request and provide continuing education credits. Generally attendance of at least 20 pharmacists is required. Pharmacy Access Partnership can provide assistance in the following areas: trainers, collaborative protocols, training binders, and other pertinent materials. If you are interested in coordinating a training in your area, please call Pharmacy Access Partnership (510) 272-0150 or email us at info@pharmacyaccess.org. Costs are variable.