A practical guide for healthcare providers on helping patients locate Slynd during the ongoing shortage. Tools, workflows, and patient communication tips.
When patients can't fill their Slynd prescription, they often turn to their prescriber for help. As a provider, you're uniquely positioned to support patients through the ongoing Slynd shortage — from locating stock to prescribing alternatives to navigating insurance barriers.
This guide outlines actionable steps your practice can take to minimize disruption for patients who depend on Slynd (Drospirenone 4 mg).
The most immediate way to help patients is to direct them to tools that show real-time pharmacy availability.
MedFinder for Providers allows you and your staff to search for Slynd availability by location. You can:
Incorporating MedFinder into your prescribing workflow can save significant time for both your office and your patients.
Before electronically prescribing Slynd, check availability or ask the patient to verify stock at their preferred pharmacy. Sending a prescription to an out-of-stock pharmacy creates delays and patient frustration.
When Slynd is available, prescribe a 90-day supply with refills. This reduces refill frequency and gives patients a buffer against supply disruptions. Most insurance plans and mail-order pharmacies support 90-day contraceptive prescriptions.
Consider writing a concurrent prescription for an alternative progestin-only pill (e.g., norethindrone 0.35 mg) that the patient can fill if Slynd is unavailable. This ensures continuity of contraception without requiring an additional office visit or phone call.
If an authorized generic becomes available and the patient specifically needs brand Slynd (or vice versa), use DAW codes appropriately to ensure the correct product is dispensed.
Don't wait for patients to call in a panic. Proactive communication builds trust and prevents gaps in contraception.
Run a report in your EHR to identify all active patients with Slynd prescriptions. This allows targeted outreach.
Contact patients 2-3 weeks before their expected refill date via patient portal message, text, or phone call. Suggested messaging:
"We know Slynd has been difficult to find at some pharmacies. We recommend checking availability early using MedFinder (medfinder.com) and contacting your pharmacy before your current supply runs out. If you have trouble filling your prescription, please contact our office and we can help."
Create a patient handout or portal document that includes:
Even when Slynd is physically available, insurance barriers can prevent patients from filling it.
Many payers require prior authorization for Slynd. Document medical necessity clearly in authorization requests:
If prior authorization is denied, appeal with supporting clinical documentation. Cite the unique pharmacologic profile of Drospirenone 4 mg (ovulation suppression, 24-hour window, anti-androgenic properties) as distinct from norethindrone.
Create a standardized workflow for Slynd shortage management:
Consider referring patients to a contraceptive specialist or reproductive health clinic if:
The Slynd shortage requires a proactive, systematic approach from prescribers. By leveraging pharmacy stock tools like MedFinder, optimizing prescribing workflows, communicating proactively with patients, and navigating insurance barriers, you can minimize the impact on patient care and contraceptive continuity.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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