Beyond Contraception: Pharmacist Roles to Support Maternal Health

Abstract

While contraception prescribing by pharmacists has seen rapid growth in recent years, pharmacist-provided services that can impact maternal health encompass more than just contraception. Each phase of maternal health—preconception, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy—has unique needs, and pharmacists are well equipped to provide services to meet those needs and are more accessible than other healthcare providers. While pharmacist-provided maternal health services may lead to significant savings to the healthcare system, additional research to more fully capture the value of pharmacist-provided maternal health services is needed. Robust implementation of a pharmacist-provided maternal health services program will require partnerships between providers, payers, and pharmacists. Infant and maternal mortality, preterm birth, and unintended pregnancies are significant public health issues, and pharmacists should be seen as a capable workforce who can provide needed maternal health care and serve as a gateway into the healthcare system for those capable of pregnancy.