Update on UPA in European Union countries – May 2015
In January 2015 the European Commission issued an implementing decision, amending the marketing authorisation granted in 2009 for UPA ECPs. Sine then, the decision has started to be implemented. In most European Union countries the decision is being followed and UPA ECPs are available directly in the pharmacies or will be very soon. At the end of April 2015, the situation was the following:
- UPA ECPs are available without prescription in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
- Age restrictions have been set at least in 3 countries: Croatia and Italy (for women younger than 18); and Poland (for women younger than 15).
- In the Baltic subregion, the new marketing authorisation is being processed in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and UPA EC is expected to be available before the end of the year, if not sooner.
- In Hungary, the government informed, on January 16 that, based on patient safety considerations, it will continue to require prescriptions for all emergency contraceptives.
- In Malta no provisions have been taken to make UPA available in the islands.
