Selling PlanB

[PharmEcon]

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I would be interested in hearing people's opinions here on PlanB, whether you think the administration was wrong in blocking it from being sold over the counter (and if so why), and just generally your thoughts on refusing to sell it.

This post from the Incidental Economist brings up some thoughtful points on the matter: http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/another-plan-b-outrage/

 

[EBT12]

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[WVUPharm2007]

Honestly, I fear some stupid rich kid with daddy's credit card thinking double-dose progestin is something you can take 3-5 times a week. There is a link with increased incidence of clotting issues in depot progestins...so there is a possibility that high dose progestins could cause morbidity. Unless there is a study out there that's looked into this already that I'm not aware of. I think its something a pediatrician should monitor and dose.

 

[rph3664]

Honestly, I fear some stupid rich kid with daddy's credit card thinking double-dose progestin is something you can take 3-5 times a week. There is a link with increased incidence of clotting issues in depot progestins...so there is a possibility that high dose progestins could cause morbidity. Unless there is a study out there that's looked into this already that I'm not aware of. I think its something a pediatrician should monitor and dose.

Posters here have told stories about people who wanted to know if they could buy Plan B in bulk at a discount. No, you can't.

A poster on another board works at a crisis pregnancy center, and has encountered women who use Plan B so much, their cycles are totally messed up and they have no idea if they are pregnant or not.

It is NOT meant to be used as a method of birth control; it's designed for things like rape or condom breakage.

I'll go into more detail later, as I'm headed to work.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I think the buyer should be monitored like pseudoephedrine. I'm waiting for an incest or statutory rape case to break where the purchaser tried to cover it up with Plan B.

 

[Carboxide]

Lots of the potential issues, especially overuse, can be combated with counseling. Patients who buy it at my pharmacy don't leave without it.

 

[museabuse]

If it was on the shelf, it would be the number 1 theft item.

 

[genesis09]

We lock up Prilosec and a few other OTCs because of theft issues. I would imagine Plan B/Next Choice would be a high shrink item.
Plan B would be an excellent candidate to be a BTC drug without age restrictions. People should not be using it for primary birth control. It'll be a good way to educate.

 

[Rx MPLS]

I respect that it is an issue of conscience for some pharmacists; however, I believe there is an obligation to care for patients, including directing patients towards outside resources if you are unwilling to meet the patient's needs. I would use the same type of reasoning to support individual pharmacists who are morally uncomfortable with providing medications in cases of assisted suicide (in states where it is legal).

Personally, I have no issue with Plan B. I believe the argument to restrict sales to individuals 17 and older is flawed. If a person is seeking Plan B, it is because they have generally already engaged in some type of sexual activity. I would rather a teenager have access to this type of medication than become pregnant. I am not wholly opposed to it being available as a behind-the-counter item though.

I agree with you completely, but I'm always shocked at work by how much more Plan B seems to sell compared with birth control pill prescriptions. I thought the idea behind Plan B is that there was a Plan A to begin with...😕

 

[PharmEcon]

I agree with you completely, but I'm always shocked at work by how much more Plan B seems to sell compared with birth control pill prescriptions. I thought the idea behind Plan B is that there was a Plan A to begin with...😕

I think that really depends on where you are. I've worked in stores where Plan B hardly ever sells and in others where there are daily sales. I'd guess it has to do with how educated the patients are on the difference between the two and whether they understand Plan B should really just be plan b.

 

[Rx MPLS]

I think that really depends on where you are. I've worked in stores where Plan B hardly ever sells and in others where there are daily sales. I'd guess it has to do with how educated the patients are on the difference between the two and whether they understand Plan B should really just be plan b.

:thumb up: I've definitely considered the same! I've only worked at one store; I'd be very interested to work in a different neighborhood or city to see the differences in population and prescriptions...

 

[2010Billiken]

I've been at my pharmacy in Ohio for three months and we have only sold PlanB once while I was there (working 40/wk). We are a fairly high-volume store, so i am surprised to hear other places selling it daily!

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I think I sold 5 in one night last Feb 14th/15th.

 

[PharmEcon]

I think I sold 5 in one night last Feb 14th/15th.

You'd think they'd be prepared for that one 😛

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I've been at my pharmacy in Ohio for three months and we have only sold PlanB once while I was there (working 40/wk). We are a fairly high-volume store, so i am surprised to hear other places selling it daily!

Me too. I've worked several different places (affluent store, ghetto store, college neighborhood store) and now work independent and I have just never seen it go out in high volume. YMMV

 

[pharm B]

I noticed something odd, today. When Planned Parenthood shut down in our area, the clinic was taken over by Family Planning. Their "Plan B, $25" sign now says "Get the Morning After Pill, $25"

 

[PharmEcon]

I noticed something odd, today. When Planned Parenthood shut down in our area, the clinic was taken over by Family Planning. Their "Plan B, $25" sign now says "Get the Morning After Pill, $25"

They might have switched to selling the generic?

 

[rph3664]

Me too. I've worked several different places (affluent store, ghetto store, college neighborhood store) and now work independent and I have just never seen it go out in high volume. YMMV

I wonder how many people order it online.

A colleague at my old job sometimes did relief work in a nearby college town whose Planned Parenthood affiliate wrote for Plan B with 11 refills (yes, it's BTC but you need an RX for insurance coverage) and he was really uncomfortable with that because he feared some people might use it as, shall we say, Plan A.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I noticed something odd, today. When Planned Parenthood shut down in our area, the clinic was taken over by Family Planning. Their "Plan B, $25" sign now says "Get the Morning After Pill, $25"

The AWP of Next Choice is like $10 cheaper than Plan B. Makes sense to me.

 

[Ackj]

The AWP of Next Choice is like $10 cheaper than Plan B. Makes sense to me.

Next Choice is probably a better course anyway, since you're less likely to puke out the pill from the megadose of hormones.