Emergency contraceptive availability by country

The following is a list of countries that allow access to dedicated-purpose emergency contraceptive pills.

Europe

Albania

In Albania, Postinor-2 is available over-the-counter. Norlevo is de facto sold without a prescription.[1]

Austria

In Austria, ECPs are available without prescription in pharmacies.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive (Escapelle) is available over-the counter without a prescription in pharmacies.

Cyprus

In Cyprus, emergency contraception (Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg - Norlevo 1 dose) is available over-the-counter without prescription in pharmacies.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, Postinor-2 is available at pharmacies over the counter to anyone over 16.[2]

Denmark

NorLevo is available over the counter.

Estonia

In Estonia, it is available over the counter without prescription under the name Escapelle (one-dose package) and Postinor-DUO (two-dose package).

Finland

The Yuzpe regimen was introduced under the name Neoprimavlar in 1987.
In 2002 levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive (NorLevo 750 µg) became available over-the-counter in pharmacies. Only restrictions are that it cannot be administered to under 15 year-olds and only single package can be purchased at a time.[3]
Recently NorLevo 750 µg as a two-dose package has stepped aside from the NorLevo 1,5 mg single-dose package.

France

NorLevo, a two-dose progestin-only treatment, was approved in 1999, with nonprescription, pharmacy access. (France does not have an over-the-counter status equivalent.) In December 2000, public and parochial high school nurses were authorized to dispense emergency contraception. [4]

Germany

In Germany, until March 2015 emergency contraception was available by prescription only. There are Levonorgestrel and Ulipristal pills available. Following a January 2015 EU commission decision to make Ulipristal an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive, it as well as Levonorgestrel were made available OTC in German effective March 15th 2015.[5] Girls aged 14 and older can acquire them in pharmacies without parental consent.[6] They continue to be covered by health insurance for girls and women aged 20 and younger.[5] Pharmacies/pharmaceutical companies are neither allowed to advertise for the pill nor to sell it via mail order or the internet.[7]

Greece

In Greece emergency contraception is available in pharmacies and formally requires prescription, but de facto is sold in pharmacies over-the-counter.

Hungary

In Hungary emergency contraception is available in pharmacies after a medical prescription or in hospitals.

Ireland

In Ireland, doctors (general practitioners and family planning clinics) can issue prescriptions for levonorgestrel and IUDs.[8]

On 12 January 2011, the morning after pill became available over-the-counter without a prescription from Boots pharmacies.[9]

Shortly afterwards, on 15 February 2011, the NorLevo morning after pill became available from all pharmacies over-the-counter without prescription. It is available without consultation and there is no age restriction.

A survey in May 2011 showed that 85% of pharmacists have been asked for the morning after pill since it became available over-the-counter.[10]

Italy

In Italy emergency contraception is available in pharmacies and hospitals. It does not require a medical prescription.

Lithuania

Postinor and, since 2003, Postinor-2 are available over-the-counter without a prescription in pharmacies.

Netherlands

Since January 2005, levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive (NorLevo 1.5 mg) has been available over-the-counter without a prescription in pharmacies and drug stores.

Norway

NorLevo is available over-the-counter.

Poland

Postinor-2 and Escapelle are available by medical prescription.

Romania

In Romania emergency contraception is available only in pharmacies and it legally requires a medical prescription,[11] but it is relatively easy to buy it without such a document.

Russia

In Russia emergency contraception formally requires prescription, but de facto is sold in pharmacies over-the-counter.

Slovakia

In Slovakia levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive (Escapelle) is available over-the-counter without a prescription in pharmacies.

Spain

In Spain it is available without restriction, and is available over-the counter with no visit to a doctor. The Spanish Government approved the measure to make the pill available over the counter in pharmacies without prescription and with no age restrictions in August 2009.[12]

Sweden

In Sweden it is available over the counter without prescription under the names Norlevo and Postinor at Apoteket .[13] It is also provided at hospitals and clinics.[14]

Switzerland

Since 2002, emergency contraception is available over-the-counter without a prescription at any pharmacy in Switzerland.

Turkey

NorLevo is available over-the-counter in practically all Turkish pharmacies. The cost is currently (as of February 2009) 16 Turkish lira.

United Kingdom

Since 2001, the primary emergency contraceptive available over the counter in pharmacies in the UK has been Levonelle One Step—a single-dose progestin-only treatment. This can be sold over the counter for personal use to anyone over 16 [15] and it is also available free of charge from health professionals to all ages.

North America

Canada

Plan B is available over-the-counter in most Canadian provinces and territories. Plan B is kept behind the counter in Saskatchewan, and is available under prescription by a pharmacist in Quebec.[16]

United States

In 1999, the progestin-only Plan B (two 750 µg levonorgestrel pills) became available with a prescription.[17] This form has been replaced by the manufacturer, Teva, with Plan B One-Step (one 1.5 mg levonorgestrel pill).[18] In 2009, a generic version of the original two-pill version of Plan B became available, called Next Choice (manufactured by Watson).[19]

Emergency contraception became available without prescription to men and women over 18 in 2006. As of April 2009, Plan B was available from pharmacies staffed by a licensed pharmacist to men and women 17 or older; women 16 and under required a prescription.[20]

On April 5, 2013, Judge Edward R. Korman in Brooklyn, New York, ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the morning-after birth control pill available to people of any age without a prescription. The order overturned a 2011 decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to require a prescription for girls under 17. Korman ordered the F.D.A. to lift any age and sale restrictions on Plan B One-Step, and its generic versions, within 30 days.[21]

South America

Bolivia

Emkit DS (Levnorgesterel Emergency Contraceptives) are freely available at Bolivia.

Brazil

Progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills are available for free at most public hospitals [22]

Argentina

Progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills are available for free at all public hospitals in Buenos Aires.[23]

Chile

Postinor-2 (a progestin-only emergency contraceptive) became legal in Chile in 2002 after a Supreme Court battle.[24][25] Affluent Chileans were able to purchase it on demand from private health services, but poorer Chileans served by the national health service were only given emergency contraception if they were sexual assault victims.[26] In 2006, access to emergency contraception was briefly allowed for all females 14 and over, but this was immediately blocked by a court decision.[27] Months later an Appeals Court upheld a lower court decision to allow the Ministry of Health to distribute emergency contraceptives to minors without parental consent.[28] In April, 2008, Chile's Constitutional Court ruled free distribution of emergency contraceptives illegal. Constitutional Court rulings cannot be appealed.

In this scenario, the government of Michelle Bachelet decided to present a bill that would allow distribution. In 2010 after an intense legislative debate, came into force the Morning After Pill Law, which set the rules on information, advice and services relating to fertility regulation, allowing the free distribution of the pill in all country public clinics. The law enables the distribution of emergency contraceptives to minors without parental consent. The official, whether of public or private health system, must inform the parent of the child after the delivery of the pill.[29]

Since September 2015, Levonorgestrel ( 0,75 mg and 1,5 mg) is available from pharmacies without prescription.[30]

Peru

Emkit and Emkit DS, manufactured by ZAFA Pharmaceutical is the most common emergency contraception brand in Peru and freely available anywhere in the country.

Ecuador

On May 23, 2005, and after a couple of years available in the market, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador suspended the inscription and the sanitary permission of Postinor-2 that led it to be provided in drug stores and hospitals.[31]

Africa

Kenya

Postinor became available in 1997.

Morocco

The emergency contraception is legal in Morocco since 2008.

South Africa

A Yuzpe product called E-Gen-C became available in 1997.

A single tablet levonorgestrel emergency contraception product, called Escapelle became available in March 2008.[32]

Zambia

Levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive called Lenor 72 was registered in 2002; in 2005 another levonorgestrel-only product called Pregnon was registered.

Egypt

Levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive is available over-the counter. One trade name is Contraplan-2

Madagascar

Levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive is available over-the counter, though it may not be available in many pharmacies, especially outside the capital. One trade name is NorLevo.

Asia

Bangladesh

Emcon, manufactured and distributed by Renata Limited.

China

Anordrin, an estrogenic steroid of the 19-Norandrostane family, was the most frequently used emergency contraceptive in China in 1997.[33] Levonorgestrel emergency contraception in China is known as Yu Ting (毓婷 ; pinyin : Yùtíng) and An Ting (安婷 ; pinyin : Āntíng). In 2002, China became the first country in which mifepristone was registered for use as an emergency contraceptive.

Japan

On December 25, 2010, Japan's Ministry of Health announced that levonorgestrel would be approved for use in the near future.[34] A levonorgestrel product named "Norurebo" (ノルレボ) was released on May 24, 2011.[35]

India

The Indian Medical Association advises that high doses of combined oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Yuzpe regimen) and copper releasing IUDs such as CuT 380A can be used as emergency contraceptive, but the Drug Controller of India has only approved (in 2001) levonorgestrel 0.75 mg. tablets for use as emergency contraceptive pills. On August 31, 2005, nonprescription, over-the-counter access to levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception was approved.

Iraq

I-Pill is available over-the-counter at most large pharmacies.

Israel

Postinor-2 and Postinor New are available over-the-counter in Israel.[36]

Malaysia

Postinor was registered in 1987.

Pakistan

Emkit (2 tablets dose of Emergency Contraceptive) and Emkit DS (Single Tablet dose of Oral Contraceptive) is manufactured by ZAFA Pharmaceuticals at Pakistan and is freely available all over the country.

Saudi Arabia

Postinor-2 is available in Saudi Arabia.[36]

South Korea

Postinor, Norlevo, Ella are available, requires prescription.

Sri Lanka

The Family Planning Association began offering the Yuzpe regimen in 1994.

Postinor is readily available over-the-counter in pharmacies.

Thailand

Postinor is readily available over-the-counter in pharmacies such as Boots.

Oceania

Australia

Postinor-2 and Levonelle-2 (progestin-only emergency contraceptive) became available in 2002. In 2004, Postinor-2 became available without prescription. Both Postinor-2 and Levonelle-2 are available from chemists but require the patient to answer a few short questions from the attending pharmacist about previous use and time since intercourse. In 2016, EllaOne (ulipristal acetate) became available prescription-only.

New Zealand

Levonelle and Postinor-2 are available from pharmacies without prescription.

References

  1. ↑ "OTC drugs in Albania". shendetesia.gov.al. Ministria e Shëndetësisë.
  2. ↑ "Czech Republic: Morning-after pill made available over the counter". Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "News about the NorLevo becoming prescription-free". Finnish National Agency for Medicines. January 2002. Retrieved 2007-01-05.
  4. ↑ "Emergency contraception: Steps being taken to improve access". Guttmacher Institute. December 2002. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
  5. 1 2 Bundesrat stimmt rezeptfreier "Pille danach" zu. Süddeutsche Zeitung, March 6th 2015
  6. ↑ Bundesapothekerkammer: Rezeptfreie Abgabe von Notfallkontrazeptiva („Pille danach“), S. 10., January 28th 2015, accessed on am February 27th 2015
  7. ↑ Bundestag gibt „Pille danach“ frei. apotheke adhoc, February 27th 2015
  8. ↑ Emergency Contraception "Think Contraception", Crisis Pregnancy Agency, Irish Government
  9. ↑ BreakingNews.ie - Boots to offer morning-after pill without prescription (10 January 2011)
  10. ↑ RTÉ News - Most pharmacists asked for morning-after pill
  11. ↑ "Contracepţia de urgenţă". www.femeia.ro. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  12. ↑ La píldora poscoital ya es libre. Y no es aborto
  13. ↑ "Akut-p-piller". sjukvardsradgivningen.se (in Swedish). 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  14. ↑ "Akut-p-piller" (in Swedish). Skåne Regional Council. 2006-06-12. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  15. ↑ "Contraception: past, present and future". UK Family Planning Association. April 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-09-28. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  16. ↑ Plan B Canada. "plan B - The Morning After Pill". Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  17. ↑ FDA (Jul 28, 1999). "Plan B approval package". Archived from the original on 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  18. ↑ Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (September 2009). "Choosing a Birth Control Method: emergency contraception". Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  19. ↑ Princeton University (November 4, 2009). "Emergency Contraception: Next Choice". Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  20. ↑ FDA (Apr 22, 2009). "Plan B information page". Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  21. ↑ "Judge Strikes Down Age Limits on Morning-After Pill". NY Times. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "CMI Brasil - Ministério amplia a distribuição gratuita da pílula do dia seguinte". Midiaindependente.org. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  23. ↑ "Buenos Aires Ciudad - Salud Sexual y Reproductiva". Buenosaires.gov.ar. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  24. ↑ "Chile bans morning-after pill". BBC News. 2001-08-30. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  25. ↑ Eduardo Gallardo (2006-09-26). "Morning-After Pill Causes Furor in Chile". Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-11-16.
  26. ↑ "A difficult pill to swallow". Economist. September 14, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  27. ↑ Daniela Estrada (September 13, 2006). "Court Stops Free Distribution of "Morning After Pill"". IPS. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  28. ↑ "Chile Court Okays Morning-After Pill". The Santiago Times. 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  29. ↑ http://www.med.uchile.cl/2010/4009-presidenta-bachelet-promulga-ley-de-pildora-del-dia-despues.html
  30. ↑ http://www.biobiochile.cl/2015/09/04/isp-autoriza-venta-sin-receta-medica-de-pildora-del-dia-despues.shtml
  31. ↑ "Constitutional Court suspends sale of 'morning-after pills'". El Comercio. May 26, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
  32. ↑ Archived May 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  33. ↑ Xiao B (1997). "Abortion and emergency contraception: the Chinese experience". Chin Med J. 110 (1): 36–42. PMID 9594319.
  34. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20101228164523/http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1224/TKY201012240523.html?. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ↑ 北村 正樹＝慈恵医大病院薬剤部. "日本初の緊急避妊薬「ノルレボ錠」が発売：日経メディカル オンライン". Medical.nikkeibp.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  36. 1 2 "Emergency Contraception: Using emergency contraceptives worldwide (the morning after pill)". Ec.princeton.edu. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
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