# Hormonal contraceptive Access via Pharmacist-Prescribing Implementation package (HAPPI)

> **NIH ALLCDC R43** · EMPOWERX, INC. · 2021 · $243,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 With 95% of unintended pregnancies in the United States attributed to incorrect,
inconsistent, or non-use of contraception, improving access to reliable contraception is an
important public health issue. Pharmacists are considered the most accessible health care
provider and are well-positioned to improve contraception access by providing pharmacist-
prescribed contraception services. The focus of this proposed work is on pharmacists who can
provide greatest access – those in community pharmacies. There are more than 67,750
community pharmacies in the United States and only 3,500 are currently offering pharmacist
prescribing of contraception. Research consistently identifies barriers to implementation of
pharmacist contraception prescribing. In order to maximize access to contraception, barriers to
pharmacist implementation must be addressed.
 This project will develop a Hormonal contraceptive Access via Pharmacist-Prescribing
Implementation (HAPPI) package that will support effective and sustainable provision of
pharmacist-prescribed contraception services. We will use a convergent, parallel design
including both quantitative and qualitative data, grounded in implementation science using the
Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Evidence-Based Quality
Improvement (EBQI). The mixed methods approach will better inform development and
refinement of the HAPPI package. A summary of the existing technology, tools, and resources
that may be used, needed, and/or considered to overcome frequently cited barriers to the
implementation of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services will be created. Model adopter
case studies will be created to illustrate “best practices”. Pharmacy decision makers (owners
and executives) and end-users (pharmacy manager pharmacists and staff pharmacists) will
participate in focus groups for concept mapping and a multi-stakeholder advisory panel. The
focus groups will identify and prioritize tools and resources to be included in the HAPPI package
while the multi-stakeholder advisory panel will provide input on perceived acceptability,
appropriateness, and feasibility of implementing pharmacist-prescribed contraception services
with and without the HAPPI package.
 Pharmacist contraceptive prescribing has the potential to expand access to
contraception. If successful, this project will create a prototype implementation package that will
form the basis for our future SBIR Phase II grant to conduct usability testing and ultimately
commercialize and measure the impact of the HAPPI package.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10385525
- **Project number:** 1R43DP006691-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMPOWERX, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Ashley H Meredith
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $243,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10385525

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10385525, Hormonal contraceptive Access via Pharmacist-Prescribing Implementation package (HAPPI) (1R43DP006691-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10385525. Licensed CC0.

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