Roles of the pharmacist in the use of safe and highly effective long-acting reversible contraception: an opinion of the Women’s Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Rafie S, McIntosh J, Shealy KM, et al.
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Whippany (NJ): Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2016 Whitehouse Station (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc. What Family Planning Providers Can Do to Meet Client Needs During COVID-19 2020 May 19 Available from:
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If the expiration date listed on the package has passed, the device is considered expired so it should not be used for a patient and should be discarded. Therefore, as long as the contraceptive device is inserted before the expiration date listed on the package, the IUD or implant will be effective for the entire duration indicated for each method. The date stated on the packaging refers to the date by which the implant and IUD should be inserted. The expiration date listed on the IUD and implant packaging should not be confused with the duration of use. Pharmacists play an important role in educating patients about birth control, including what options are available to them when in-person appointments are not available at their regular clinic or doctor’s office. As many providers transition to contactless care methods via telehealth, patients that utilize long-acting reversible contraception may be worried if their intrauterine device (IUD) or implant has reached its expiration and needs to be removed or replaced. Contraceptive care should not be compromised during this global pandemic.