"That's a tricky one": Access to misoprostol for early pregnancy loss in retail pharmacies across Arizona.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the same-day availability of misoprostol for medical management of early pregnancy loss (EPL) at Arizona pharmacies. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a simulated-patient mixed methods study of Arizona pharmacies from October 2022 to February 2023, documenting misoprostol availability and describing pharmacy staff responses. RESULTS: Of 941 pharmacies included, 703 (75%) could fill a misoprostol prescription same day. Ability to fill prescriptions and reasons why the prescription could not be filled varied by pharmacy type. National chain pharmacies most frequently had misoprostol available but also most commonly reported policies restricting dispensing. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers exist to filling misoprostol prescriptions for early pregnancy loss in Arizona that could impact patient care.