Faculty Collaboration Database

Expedited Partner Therapy: Pharmacist Refusal of Legal Prescriptions. Sex Transm Dis 2018 May;45(5):350-353

Date

02/22/2018

Pubmed ID

29465689

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5895524

DOI

10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000751

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85045200230 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is an effective strategy for partner management of sexually transmitted infections. Some states, including Wisconsin, allow EPT prescriptions to be filled without a patient name. This study determined the refusal rates of nameless EPT prescriptions in Milwaukee pharmacies.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 3 trained research assistants of different age, sex, and race posed as "patients" and visited 50 pharmacy locations from one pharmacy chain in Milwaukee County, WI, to fill nameless EPT prescriptions. A χ test was used to compare demographics of patients, pharmacists, and pharmacies. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prescription refusal.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine (58%) of 50 nameless EPT prescriptions were refused. Univariate analysis showed that prescriptions were more likely to be refused if the pharmacy was in the suburbs (77%) compared with Milwaukee city (43%; P = 0.01), if the pharmacist was older than the patient (82%) compared with being younger (46%) or within the same age group (33%; P = 0.01 for both), and if the patient was white (78%) compared with nonwhite (47%; P = 0.03). Multivariable regression revealed significantly higher refusals for pharmacies located in the suburbs compared with the city (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-20.3; P = 0.03) and in patients who were white compared with nonwhite (odds ratio: 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-19.8; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: More than half of nameless EPT prescriptions were refused in Milwaukee county pharmacies, more frequently at suburban pharmacies and for white patients. Increased pharmacist education regarding EPT is essential to help combat the sexually transmitted infection crisis.

Author List

Borchardt LN, Pickett ML, Tan KT, Visotcky AM, Drendel AL

Authors

Amy L. Drendel DO Interim Chief, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michelle L. Pickett MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Alexis M. Visotcky Biostatistician III in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Chlamydia Infections
Chlamydia trachomatis
Contact Tracing
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Pharmacies
Pharmacists
Prescriptions
Refusal to Participate
Sexual Partners
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Wisconsin