Involving pharmacists in sexual health research: experience from an emergency contraception study.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists are expanding their sphere of activity within primary health care, increasing their role not only in health care but also research. METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe the challenges encountered in carrying out a pilot study of women obtaining emergency hormonal contraception through different providers, including pharmacies, highlighting deficiencies in understanding and experience of the research process, which impacted on the study in substantial ways. CONCLUSIONS: As pharmacists expand their role, training and professional development will need to be enhanced to support them in their contribution to health care and research.