Mississippi has the highest rate of ‘depo’ prescriptions among Medicaid enrollees in the nation

In 2025, Mississippi's prescription rate for the drug known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (brand name "Depo-Provera") was the highest in the U.S., three times higher than the national average, marking the fourth year in a row the state led the nation. Since 2018, Mississippi has been either first or second.

Note: Number of prescriptions is not the same as number of users. One shot is typically taken every three months.

Prescriptions include generic and brand name ("Depo-Provera") depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, of which generic versions are the vast majority offered through Medicaid. Excluded were versions of the drug not typically taken for contraceptive purposes (oral/tablet forms and 400mg/mL high-dose formulations). Subcutaneous Depo-Provera was also excluded, though inclusion did not change Mississippi's ranking. State drug utilization data is not broken down by age or sex so prescriptions are across all recipients, not just reproductive-age women.
Chart: Julie LeeSource: CMS State Drug Utilization Data; CMS Medicaid & CHIP enrollment data via KFFGet the data